Commerce Secretary’s Netherlands Visit Boosts Trade, Innovation Ties

02 May 2025 CW Team

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, visited the Netherlands from 24–26 April 2025 to advance bilateral trade, investment, and innovation cooperation. The visit marked a significant step in deepening India’s strategic economic partnership with the Netherlands, a key trade and technology partner in Europe.

During the visit, Shri Barthwal held high-level meetings with Dutch officials, industry leaders, and institutional stakeholders, reinforcing the importance of India-Netherlands collaboration in areas including infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, and high-tech manufacturing.

The visit began with a meeting in The Hague with Mr. Michiel Sweers, Director General for Foreign Economic Relations, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions focused on enhancing trade and investment through the proposed Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) mechanism. Both sides exchanged views on easing market access, aligning policies, and addressing trade barriers, underlining shared commitment to a robust economic framework that leverages mutual strengths.

A key highlight of the visit was the CEOs Roundtable Conference hosted by the Embassy of India, attended by around 40 representatives from leading Dutch and Indian companies, business chambers, and trade organisations. Discussions covered trade challenges, sector-specific opportunities, and ways to enhance business-to-business ties. Delegates explored synergies in renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, logistics, urban development, and waste management.

Commerce Secretary Barthwal highlighted India’s economic reforms, including initiatives to boost exports, manufacturing, and ease of doing business. The Embassy also showcased products under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, celebrating India's artisan economy. A networking session followed, encouraging cross-border partnerships, with active participation from Ambassador Shri Reenat Sandhu and Secretary Barthwal.

Shri Barthwal visited the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, where he was received by Mr. Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port Authority. They held discussions on enhancing cooperation between Indian ports and Rotterdam, focusing on digital port operations, green shipping, and sustainable logistics. A tour of the APM Terminals at Maasvlakte II showcased Rotterdam’s advanced automation and efficiency.

This engagement aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2030, and discussions laid the foundation for a Green and Digital Corridor between Rotterdam and Indian ports like Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla). The plan also envisions facilitating exports of Green Hydrogen and derivatives like Ammonia and Methanol from India to Europe via Rotterdam.

In Veldhoven, Shri Barthwal visited ASML, a global leader in semiconductor lithography systems, and met with CEO Mr. Christophe Fouquet. Discussions focused on strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem through collaboration in technology, capacity building, and policy support under the India Semiconductor Mission.

Commerce Secretary Barthwal outlined India’s policy incentives for semiconductor investment and infrastructure, while ASML welcomed India’s proactive steps to become a global manufacturing hub in the sector. The visit marked an important step toward long-term strategic cooperation in semiconductor technology.

Joint Secretary Shri Saket Kumar met Tjerk Opmeer, Deputy Director General for Enterprise and Innovation at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The dialogue emphasised deepening innovation partnerships under the Indo-Dutch Startup Link, promoting cooperation in entrepreneurship, tech exchange, and space technologies.

Both sides recognised India’s emergence as a global innovation hub and the Netherlands’ leadership in high-tech development, committing to collaborate through joint initiatives, co-innovation, and ecosystem support.

Commerce Secretary Barthwal’s visit has added new momentum to India-Netherlands economic ties, reinforcing collaboration across trade, maritime infrastructure, semiconductors, and innovation ecosystems. The outcomes pave the way for long-term strategic cooperation, aligning with India’s global trade and technology ambitions.

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