**Executive Summary**
On May 16, 2026, the Prime Minister addressed a CEOs Roundtable in the Netherlands to strengthen bilateral economic ties following the signing of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement. The address highlights India's economic stability, recent policy reforms, and the elevation of the India-Netherlands relationship to a strategic partnership. Key objectives include implementing a joint roadmap for green hydrogen and encouraging Dutch companies to expand their manufacturing and R&D presence in India.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Economic Performance and Investment Status**
* India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy, contributing 17% to global growth.
* The Netherlands is India’s largest investor from Europe and its second-largest trading partner, with over 300 Dutch companies operating in India.
* Electronics has transitioned from a major import item to India’s largest export item.
* **Policy Reforms and Ease of Doing Business**
* The government has opened sectors including space, mining, and nuclear energy to the private sector.
* Next-generation reforms have been implemented in taxation, labor codes, and governance to reduce compliance burdens.
* Policy predictability and manufacturing incentives are being provided to establish India as a cost-effective global manufacturing hub.
* **Strategic Bilateral Initiatives**
* The India-Netherlands relationship has been elevated to a "Strategic Partnership."
* A historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed in 2026 to serve as a foundation for shared prosperity.
* A new joint roadmap is being launched specifically for cooperation in green hydrogen.
* **Sector-Specific Collaborations**
* Semiconductors: An MoU between ASML and Tata facilitates the manufacture of semiconductor chips in India using ASML equipment.
* Logistics and Infrastructure: Companies like APM, Damen, and Royal Vopak are actively transforming India’s ports and shipping sectors.
* Innovation: Global technology companies are increasingly establishing Global Capability Centers in India to leverage the local talent pool.
**Impact Analysis**
**Dutch Business Leaders and Corporations**
**Impact**
They benefit from a more predictable policy environment, expanded opportunities in previously restricted sectors (space, mining), and incentives for global manufacturing.
**Action Required**
Expand investment scope and ambition in India; utilize Indian talent for design and innovation; and participate in the burgeoning semiconductor and green hydrogen sectors.
**Indian Industrial Sector (e.g., Tata, Logistics, Electronics)**
**Impact**
Domestic companies gain access to world-leading Dutch technology and equipment, particularly in high-tech manufacturing and port logistics.
**Action Required**
Partner with Dutch firms to co-create solutions and implement advanced manufacturing technologies.
**Academic and Research Institutions**
**Impact**
There is a renewed focus on talent mobility, university partnerships, and joint R&D between the two nations.
**Action Required**
Develop and strengthen bilateral educational frameworks and collaborative research projects.
**Government Entities (India and Netherlands)**
**Impact**
Both governments are now committed to a Strategic Partnership and the implementation of the India-EU FTA.
**Action Required**
Execute the joint roadmap on green hydrogen and facilitate the "next-generation" governance reforms to support bilateral trade.
Key Entities Referenced
Netherlands: India’s largest investor from Europe and second-largest trading partner, serving as the central location for the bilateral strategic partnership.
Rob Jetten: The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, a key individual involved in elevating the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
Global Capability Centers (GCCs): Strategic hubs established by global technology companies in India to drive efficiency, innovation, and design in the services sector.
India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A landmark economic agreement aimed at establishing a foundation for shared prosperity and enhancing trade between India and the EU.
Joint roadmap in green hydrogen: An ambitious collaborative initiative launched by India and the Netherlands to develop future-ready clean energy technology.
Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of Prime Minister’s remarks
during the CEOs Roundtable in the Netherlands
Posted On: 16 MAY 2026 10:17PM by PIB Delhi
Your Excellency Prime Minister Rob Jetten,
Delegates from both countries,
Business leaders of the Netherlands,
Namaskar!
It is a great pleasure for me to be here today among the leaders of some of the world’s most innovative
companies. Today, more than 300 Dutch companies are part of the India story. Because of your vision and
confidence in India, the Netherlands has become India’s largest investor from Europe and its second-
largest trading partner.
Friends,
Your companies in India are not only well-known brands, but also brand ambassadors of India–
Netherlands friendship. We are delighted that NXP, Philips, and Prosus are creating world-leading
solutions together with India’s talent.
Companies like APM, Damen, and Royal Vopak are transforming India’s ports, shipping, and logistics
sector. Many others are working with India in agriculture and sustainability to ensure a better future for
the world.
Recently, an MoU was signed between ASML and Tata—now semiconductor chips will be manufactured
in India with ASML’s equipment. Today, in all your words, the optimism towards India is clearly visible.
Turning this optimism into outcomes is our guarantee.
Friends,
Today’s India is a symbol of scale and stability. Speaking of scale, we are the world’s fastest-growing
major economy and also the largest talent pool. In infrastructure, clean energy, or connectivity—India’s
speed cannot be matched anywhere in the world. That is why India today contributes seventeen percent to
global growth.
And on stability—serving as the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, today marks twelve
years for me in this role. In these twelve years, through continuous reforms, we have transformed our
economic DNA. Our direction has been clear—to provide policy predictability to the private sector and to
expand opportunities for them.
Space, mining, or nuclear energy—we have opened every sector to the private sector. We are continuously
reducing compliances and increasing ease of doing business. Recently, we carried out next-generation
reforms in taxation, labor codes, and governance. Manufacturing in India is now becoming highly cost-
effective.Electronics, which earlier was a major import item for India, has today become India’s largest export item.
To take this manufacturing growth to the next level, we are providing incentives in many important
sectors. By taking advantage of this, you can manufacture in India for the entire world.
Similarly, in the services sector, India has become the engine of efficiency and innovation, powered by its
talent. All global technology companies have opened their Global Capability Centers in India.
We invite all of you to design and innovate in India. And there could be no better time than today.
Friends,
From 2026, a new golden era in India–Europe relations has begun. This year, we signed the historic India–
European Union Free Trade Agreement. This agreement between the world’s two largest democratic and
responsible powers will become a strong foundation for shared prosperity.
To unlock the full potential of this FTA, Prime Minister Jetten and I are taking several important decisions
today. We are elevating the trusted India–Netherlands partnership to a strategic partnership. We are
launching an ambitious joint roadmap in green hydrogen. We are making our relations in technology
future-ready.
We are also strengthening talent mobility, university partnerships, and joint R&D between our two
countries. In other words, the future of the India–Netherlands partnership is brighter than ever before.
Friends,
The strengthening strategic partnership between India and Europe is giving new inspiration to our
business relations. Moving forward rapidly in this direction is now in your hands. I am confident that you
will expand your scope, investment, and ambition in India. And along with you, Europe’s entire
innovation ecosystem will also come to India.
Friends,
There is a saying in the Netherlands:
“Ships are safe in harbour, but ships are not built to stay in harbour.”
Who can understand this better than the Dutch business community? Your country has for centuries
advanced in search of new opportunities. I assure you—your search in India will be successful and
meaningful. Now you must venture more boldly into India.
Bedankt.
Thank you very much.
****
MJPS/SS/VJ/ST
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