Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with CEOs of leading Dutch companies on Saturday to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation in The Hague [2].
This engagement signals India's push to attract high-tech investment and deepen ties with the European Union as it seeks to expand its global manufacturing footprint.
The roundtable included executives from ASML, APM Terminals, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, VNO-NCW, and Royal Vopak [1]. These leaders praised India's reform-driven policies and identified the nation as a key hub for growth, innovation, and investment [1].
The meeting occurred during a two-day visit to the Netherlands [3]. During the discussions, Modi invited Dutch companies to invest in India and discussed the broader bilateral partnership [3]. A primary objective of the visit was to showcase India as a destination for manufacturing and to discuss the progress of an India-EU trade agreement [1].
Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, highlighted the necessity of formalizing trade ties. "We welcome India's economic growth ambitions and stress the importance of an India-European Union trade agreement," Svendsen said [1].
While the roundtable focused on immediate corporate investment, the broader diplomatic visit is expected to culminate in the announcement of a strategic partnership between the two nations [4]. The discussions emphasized the role of Dutch expertise in logistics and semiconductors, areas where India is currently seeking rapid expansion, to fuel its economic ambitions [1].
“India as a key hub for growth, investment, innovation”
The engagement with Dutch firms, particularly semiconductor giant ASML and logistics leader APM Terminals, reflects India's strategy to diversify its supply chains and reduce dependence on single-market imports. By leveraging the Netherlands as a gateway to Europe, India is attempting to secure the technical expertise and capital necessary to transform into a global manufacturing hub while simultaneously pushing for a comprehensive trade deal with the EU.
