Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pitched India as Europe’s trusted technology and manufacturing partner during high-level engagements in the Netherlands, as Tata Electronics signed a key agreement with Dutch semiconductor giant ASML for India’s first front-end chip fabrication plant in Gujarat.The agreement, witnessed by Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague, is expected to support the semiconductor fabrication facility coming up in Dholera and marks a significant step in India’s efforts to build a domestic chip manufacturing ecosystem.ASML, one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced lithography systems critical for semiconductor production, will partner with Tata Electronics for the project, which New Delhi sees as strategically important for reducing dependence on global supply chains.The semiconductor push formed the centrepiece of Modi’s engagements in the Netherlands, where he also held discussions with leading Dutch CEOs from sectors including ports, logistics, clean energy, healthcare, aviation, agribusiness and technology.Addressing business leaders alongside the Dutch Prime Minister, Modi highlighted India’s economic reforms and called for deeper business-to-business partnerships in semiconductors, maritime infrastructure, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital technologies.The two sides also stressed the need for early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing it as vital for building resilient and trusted supply chains amid global economic uncertainty.Industry leaders from major Dutch firms, including Philips, NXP Semiconductors, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Heineken and Port of Rotterdam, expressed interest in expanding their presence in India.Earlier in the day, Modi called on Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at Palace Huis ten Bosch, where the two sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across education, innovation, digital technologies, water management and green partnerships.Modi also recalled the royal couple’s 2019 state visit to India, describing it as an important milestone that had injected fresh momentum into bilateral ties.The visit underlined India’s broader effort to position itself as a trusted manufacturing, technology and supply-chain partner for Europe at a time of increasing geopolitical and economic realignments.