The Hague, May 16 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Dutch companies to design, innovate and manufacture in India, saying the moment is ideal as the country becomes increasingly cost‑competitive and offers sectoral incentives to scale manufacturing for global markets.
Speaking at a CEO Round Table on Economic Ties, Modi noted that more than 300 Dutch firms are already part of India’s growth story. He highlighted recent reforms in taxation, labour laws and governance that have improved the business environment and said electronics — once a major import — has become one of India’s largest export items. To move manufacturing to the next level, the government is providing targeted incentives across key sectors and inviting companies to take advantage of those benefits to produce for worldwide markets.
Modi also emphasised India’s strength in services, driven by a talented workforce and a culture of innovation. He pointed to the many global technology firms that have established Global Capability Centres in India and reiterated the invitation for companies to base design and innovation activities in the country, saying there could be no better time than now.
Recalling that May 16 marks the anniversary of the 2014 Lok Sabha election results that brought him to office, Modi said that 12 years of continuous reform have reshaped India’s economic DNA. He cited this year’s signing of the India‑EU free trade agreement as a historic step that will underpin broader shared prosperity.
During the visit, Modi and the Dutch prime minister agreed on several initiatives to deepen bilateral ties. They elevated the India‑Netherlands relationship from a Trusted Partnership to a Strategic Partnership, launched an ambitious joint roadmap on green hydrogen, committed to future‑ready technology cooperation, and agreed to enhance talent mobility, university partnerships and joint research and development. Modi said these steps give new impetus to business relations and urged Dutch firms to move quickly and boldly into India, echoing a Dutch proverb that ships are not built to remain in harbour.
Earlier, Modi called on King Willem‑Alexander and Queen Máxima at Palace Huis ten Bosch, where leaders discussed strengthening people‑to‑people links and cooperation across education, innovation, semiconductors, digital technologies, water and green initiatives. The King and Queen hosted a state dinner; Modi recalled their 2019 state visit to India as an important boost to bilateral goodwill.
In a post on X, Modi said India and the Netherlands share interests and a common commitment to building a future‑ready planet. This is his second visit to the Netherlands since 2017. Bilateral engagement spans defence, security and a Strategic Partnership on Water; trade and investment remain significant, with bilateral trade at about USD 27.8 billion (2024‑25) and cumulative Dutch FDI in India around USD 55.6 billion. ModI expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended during the visit and reiterated his assurance that Dutch investments in India will be successful and fruitful.
