During his European tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands yielded an agreement in the tech sector: India’s Tata Electronics signed an $11 billion deal with Dutch technology giant ASML. As Europe’s largest technology company by market value, ASML will provide advanced lithography machines and technical support to establish and scale production at Tata’s upcoming semiconductor facility in Dholera, Gujarat. The plant is designed to manufacture high-end microchips for artificial intelligence, the automotive industry, and various other sectors.
ASML Chief Executive Christophe Fouquet highlighted the opportunities within India’s expanding semiconductor industry, emphasizing the company’s commitment to building long-term regional partnerships. This collaboration aligns with New Delhi’s push to attract foreign investment and cutting-edge technology, boosting domestic manufacturing and job creation. Concurrently, the European Union increasingly views India — the world’s most populous country and a rapidly growing economy — as a vital future market.
Beyond technology, Prime Minister Modi engaged in extensive bilateral discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and met with King Willem-Alexander. The talks with Jetten spanned an array of topics, with a strong emphasis on defense and security. He proposed the rapid development of an defense industry action plan and highlighted potential collaborations in space exploration, maritime systems, and maritime security. Furthermore, Indian and Dutch officials discussed easing visa arrangements to create more flexible pathways for Indian students and workers in the Netherlands.
The cultural dimension of the visit featured addressing the Indian diaspora and inspecting centuries-old Chola copper plates, which are being returned to India by Leiden University.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi traveled to Sweden to meet with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Their discussions had a focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, innovation, and green technology.
This visit marks Modi’s second trip to Sweden since the inaugural India-Nordic summit in 2018, reinforcing India’s broader strategy to deepen economic and technological ties across Europe.
