Dutch Business Leaders Pledge More India Investments After Modi Talks

A high-profile roundtable in The Hague brought Prime Minister Narendra Modi together with CEOs of leading Dutch multinationals, resulting in fresh commitments to increase investments in India. The closed-door session focused on strengthening cooperation in semiconductors, maritime logistics, renewable energy, and high-end manufacturing. Dutch executives repeatedly cited India’s policy reforms and improved ease of doing business as reasons for their optimism. Royal Vopak’s Dick Richelle spoke of his firm’s existing joint venture and said the company is ready to scale up its footprint. VNO-NCW President Koen van Oosterom lauded Modi’s leadership style and his ability to connect with global CEOs on equal terms. APM Terminals CEO Keith Svendsen expressed satisfaction with India’s ambitious growth story and pointed to ongoing work in port modernization and skill development. ASML executive Christophe Fouquet described the new semiconductor partnership with Tata Electronics as a direct outcome of Modi’s semiconductor mission. Boudewijn Simons CEO Baudewijn Simons agreed that the best is yet to come, citing the forthcoming India-EU trade pact as a major catalyst. Port of Rotterdam CEO Allard Castelein welcomed India’s infrastructure investments and stressed that ports are meant for trade facilitation. Modi concluded the session by underlining how the India-EU FTA will open new avenues in technology, trade, and sustainability. The Ministry of External Affairs shared images of the meeting on social media, calling it a gateway to fresh opportunities.