PM Modi Holds Talks With Dutch PM Jetten, Discusses Trade, Investment, Tech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held wide-ranging talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten , focusing on strengthening bilateral ties across trade, investment, critical technologies, semiconductors, renewable energy, and innovation , marking a significant expansion of India–Netherlands relations since his 2017 visit.

Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday on the second leg of his five-nation tour. This is his second visit to the country after 2017, reflecting growing strategic and economic engagement between the two sides.

Ahead of the official talks, the two leaders jointly interacted with CEOs of leading Dutch companies from sectors such as energy, ports, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and technology . Modi invited Dutch firms to expand their presence in India and participate in key growth areas including maritime infrastructure, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, semiconductors, renewable energy, and healthcare .

He said India was continuously reducing compliance burdens and improving the ease of doing business , supported by reforms in taxation, labour laws, and governance. “We invite you to design and innovate in India,” he said, adding that India offered a combination of scale, stability, and speed of growth .

The Prime Minister highlighted that India had become one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies with a large talent pool and rapidly expanding infrastructure. He also underlined that sectors such as space, mining, and nuclear energy have been opened to private participation, strengthening the investment ecosystem.

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of an agreement between ASML and Tata Electronics in the presence of both leaders, signalling deeper cooperation in the semiconductor supply chain , a critical area for future manufacturing and digital industries.

Both leaders also called for the early implementation of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement , which is expected to further boost trade flows, investment, and technology partnerships between India and Europe.

Earlier, Modi met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at the Royal Palace, where discussions focused on expanding cooperation in digital technology, fintech, innovation, water management, and the blue economy .

The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit builds on growing cooperation in defence, security, green hydrogen, semiconductors, and sustainable development , strengthening the overall strategic partnership.

India–Netherlands economic ties have expanded significantly, with bilateral trade reaching about USD 27.8 billion (2024–25) . The Netherlands is also India’s fourth-largest investor , with cumulative foreign direct investment of around USD 55.6 billion , reflecting strong Dutch participation in India’s industrial and economic growth.

Dutch companies play an important role in India’s development through high-tech manufacturing support, logistics expertise, renewable energy technologies, and investment in industrial ecosystems , contributing to India’s push for global manufacturing competitiveness.

From the Netherlands, the Prime Minister will travel to Sweden for a two-day visit from May 17 to 18.