Modi Invites Dutch Firms to 'Design & Innovate' in India; India-EU FTA Soon
PM Modi woos Dutch CEOs, highlighting India's economic reforms and growth.
Top Summary
- What happened: PM Modi urged Dutch companies to invest in India, emphasizing the country's advancements in infrastructure, clean energy, and connectivity during a CEO Roundtable in the Netherlands.
- Why it matters: The India-Netherlands strategic partnership, boosted by the India-EU FTA, strengthens economic ties and fosters innovation, potentially increasing global growth.
- What changes for people: Increased investment and collaboration can lead to new jobs, technological advancements, and improved infrastructure in India.
- Who is affected: Dutch companies, Indian businesses, citizens of India and the EU, and the global economy.
Modi's Pitch to Dutch CEOs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Dutch companies to design, innovate, and manufacture in India, highlighting the country's immense opportunities. He emphasized that today's India is a symbol of scale and stability.
Modi noted that India is contributing 17% to global growth. He was accompanied by his Dutch counterpart, Rob Jetten.
India-EU FTA and Strategic Partnership
The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of an agreement between Tata Electronics and ASML to support the semiconductor Fab in Dholera, Gujarat. They also called for the early implementation of the India-EU FTA.
The FTA reinforces India and the European Union as trusted and reliable partners, committed to open markets, inclusive growth and resilient supply chains.
PM Modi stated the year 2026 marks the beginning of a new 'Golden Era' in relations between India and Europe following the historic Free Trade Agreement.
Reforms and Ease of Doing Business
PM Modi emphasized that the government has transformed India's economic DNA through continuous reforms. Space, mining, and nuclear energy sectors have been opened up.
We are continuously reducing compliance burdens and enhancing the Ease of Doing Business. Recently, we implemented next-generation reforms in areas such as taxation, labour codes, and governance.
Manufacturing in India is becoming highly cost-effective, and the services sector is becoming an engine of efficiency and innovation.
Key Areas of Collaboration
PM Modi stated India and the Netherlands will strengthen talent mobility, university partnerships, and joint R&D. He outlined several significant decisions to transform the partnership into a strategic one, including an ambitious joint roadmap for Green Hydrogen and future-ready ties in the technology sector.
He noted that over 300 Dutch companies are part of the India story. The Netherlands is India's largest investor from Europe and second-largest trading partner.
Business Leaders Present
Business leaders made presentations on:
- Semiconductors, technology and innovation
- Infrastructure, logistics and maritime
- Sustainability, energy and agriculture
Attendees included: Keith Svendsen (APM Terminals), Christophe Fouquet (ASML), Arnout Damen (Damen Shipyards Group), Dolf van den Brink (Heineken), Marjan Rintel (KLM), and many others.
An agreement between ASML and Tata Electronics was signed in the presence of both prime ministers.
What to Watch Next
The implementation of the India-EU FTA will be a key development to watch, along with the progress of the Tata-ASML semiconductor partnership in Dholera. Further announcements regarding the joint roadmap for Green Hydrogen are also expected to be released.