An Indian trade delegation visited the Dutch semiconductor hub of Eindhoven to discuss investment opportunities, as India accelerates its domestic chip industry with substantial subsidies. Dutch semiconductor firms, facing export controls in the U.S.-China tech rivalry, are seeking new markets and diversification, with India positioning itself as an ideal "China-plus-one" manufacturing base.
The discussions highlighted opportunities for Dutch equipment exports and potential manufacturing setups in India, leveraging its large engineering workforce. Concrete steps include ASML's plan to open a support office in India, and a significant number of Dutch firms requested meetings with the delegation.
Both countries aim to deepen ties, with hopes of announcing a strategic partnership during an upcoming visit by India's Prime Minister. The existing connection is underscored by the tripling of the Indian population in the Netherlands over the past decade, many working in the tech sector around Eindhoven.
Main Topics: India's semiconductor industry push, Dutch semiconductor sector seeking diversification, bilateral investment and partnership opportunities, geopolitical context of U.S.-China tech rivalry.
A trade delegation from âIndia visited the Dutch semiconductor hub of Eindhoven on Wednesday to discuss investment opportunities as New Delhi accelerates its efforts to build a domestic chip industry.
India has pledged billions of dollars âin subsidies â to attract â semiconductor fabrication plants and related manufacturing, with eight projects underway including a $14 billion Tata Electronics facility in Gujarat.
Meanwhile, Dutch semiconductor firms are seeking new markets and geographical diversification amid export controls and trade restrictions linked to U.S.-China technology rivalry.
"It's clear there are opportunities for Dutch firms, in the first place for equipment exports," and later as a base for manufacturing, given India's large engineering workforce, â said Michiel Smit âof the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Manish Hooda, technology director at the India Semiconductor Mission said Dutch firms pursuing a "China-plus-one" manufacturing strategy should consider â India as their production base outside China.
"We are quite open âif they are interested in setting up operations in âIndia," Hooda said.
The Eindhoven region is home to leading chip equipment maker ASML and dozens of its top suppliers. Chipmaker NXP Semiconductors is also headquartered there.
ASML disclosed last week it plans to open a support office in India. A spokesperson declined to give further details.
India's subsidy program launched in â2021 covered up to 50% of project costs, with state governments offering an additional 20% to 25%, Hooda said. A second program âslated for âapproval March 30 could â be even larger, he added.
Smit said about 50 to 60 Dutch firms had requested meetings with the Indian delegation.
Indian engineers already form a significant part of âthe Dutch tech workforce. According to statistics agency CBS, the number of Indians in the Netherlands tripled to 89,000 in 2024 from 2014, with more than 10,000 living in the Eindhoven region.
The two countries hope to announce a strategic partnership during a planned visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year.
India has pledged billions of dollars âin subsidies â to attract â semiconductor fabrication plants and related manufacturing, with eight projects underway including a $14 billion Tata Electronics facility in Gujarat.
Meanwhile, Dutch semiconductor firms are seeking new markets and geographical diversification amid export controls and trade restrictions linked to U.S.-China technology rivalry.
"It's clear there are opportunities for Dutch firms, in the first place for equipment exports," and later as a base for manufacturing, given India's large engineering workforce, â said Michiel Smit âof the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Manish Hooda, technology director at the India Semiconductor Mission said Dutch firms pursuing a "China-plus-one" manufacturing strategy should consider â India as their production base outside China.
"We are quite open âif they are interested in setting up operations in âIndia," Hooda said.
The Eindhoven region is home to leading chip equipment maker ASML and dozens of its top suppliers. Chipmaker NXP Semiconductors is also headquartered there.
ASML disclosed last week it plans to open a support office in India. A spokesperson declined to give further details.
India's subsidy program launched in â2021 covered up to 50% of project costs, with state governments offering an additional 20% to 25%, Hooda said. A second program âslated for âapproval March 30 could â be even larger, he added.
Smit said about 50 to 60 Dutch firms had requested meetings with the Indian delegation.
Indian engineers already form a significant part of âthe Dutch tech workforce. According to statistics agency CBS, the number of Indians in the Netherlands tripled to 89,000 in 2024 from 2014, with more than 10,000 living in the Eindhoven region.
The two countries hope to announce a strategic partnership during a planned visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year.
Meridiano
