Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a four-day visit to the Netherlands on
October 27, leading a delegation of around 100 Indian businesses and startups. The Piyush Goyal Netherlands visit, which ran from October 24 to 27, aimed to turn diplomatic goodwill into concrete trade, investment and technology partnerships, at a time when global supply chains are under strain. It followed a stop in Germany from October 22 to 24,
where Goyal took part in the Berlin Global Dialogue, making the tour a wider push to deepen
India’s economic ties with Europe.
The visit also followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s own trip to the Netherlands on May
15-17, 2026, his second visit after 2017. During that visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, and the two countries elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit during his engagements, and his mission was to carry that political momentum into trade and business partnerships.
India and the Netherlands share significant opportunities for collaboration across trade, technology and sustainable development. Continued dialogue between business leaders and policymakers can
help strengthen partnerships, encourage cross-border investment and open new avenues for economic growth. By combining India’s expanding market and industrial capabilities with Dutch expertise in innovation and logistics, both countries can work towards long-term cooperation and mutually beneficial outcomes.
The Netherlands is Europe’s key logistics and innovation hub. For India, which is working to expand exports and attract foreign investment, that makes it a natural partner. Dutch ports, airports and distribution networks move goods across the continent, while Dutch research institutions and technology companies are active in the same areas India has named as priorities, from advanced manufacturing to clean energy.
The centrepiece of the trip was the India-Netherlands Business Forum in The Hague on October
26. Piyush Goyal addressed Dutch business leaders and officials, building on Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s May visit and highlighting India’s macroeconomic stability, its large domestic
market and the strength of its workforce. The forum was followed by six sectoral roundtables and
business-to-business sessions covering food and farming, technology, sustainability, logistics,
manufacturing and services. This format gave Indian and Dutch firms a direct channel to explore
partnerships, rather than leaving the conversation at the level of speeches.
Netherlands CXOs Roundtable with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, as shown on the event
banner.
Source: DD India (YouTube) – Piyush Goyal’s Netherlands Visit Focuses on Economic Cooperation
At the government level, Goyal held bilateral meetings with the Dutch ministers for Economic
Affairs and Climate and for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. The talks focused on
expanding trade channels and green transition initiatives. Together with the business forum, they
show a move from broad statements of friendship toward sector-specific discussions.
The size of the delegation also mattered. Travelling with around 100 businesses and startups
meant that ministerial talks and company-level conversations happened in the same week and the
same cities. That shortens the distance between a political announcement and a signed deal, which is often where good intentions stall.
A central goal of the visit was to encourage Dutch companies to invest in India’s growing
industries. Goyal pitched India as a base for Dutch firms, pairing Dutch technology with India engineering talent. Discussions covered advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and clean
technology. The shared aim is more diverse supply chains that depend less on any single
manufacturing hub, a concern that has shaped trade policy in many countries in recent years.
Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industry Minister, during the India-Netherlands engagements in Europe.
Source: Economic Times – India, Dutch port authorities weigh digital push to boost logistics: Piyush Goya
On October 25, Goyal and the Indian delegation toured the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest
port, to study its logistics and supply chain infrastructure. Rotterdam is known for digital cargo
handling and a growing focus on sustainable port operations. These are areas where India is
investing through its Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to modernise ports and
develop green shipping corridors. For Indian exporters, a stronger link with Rotterdam also means
a more efficient entry point into European markets, and faster, more predictable shipping can
matter as much to a small exporter as a tariff cut.
The Piyush Goyal Netherlands visit also looked ahead to emerging sectors. According to reports,
discussions covered semiconductor cooperation, green hydrogen, critical minerals and advanced
manufacturing. This builds on the strategic partnership the two countries announced during Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in May 2026, when ASML and Tata Electronics signed a
semiconductor cooperation deal. The Netherlands is strong in semiconductor equipment and green
technology, while India wants to build up its electronics manufacturing and clean energy capacity.
The two economies complement each other, and these are long-cycle industries where early
partnerships can shape who supplies whom for years to come.
Recognising that large corporations alone cannot drive deeper economic integration, the ministers
also discussed creating a dedicated platform to connect Indian and Dutch micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs). The idea was reportedly modelled on the India-US Trade
Facilitation Portal. Such a platform could help smaller Indian firms find reliable Dutch partners
and understand European regulations and sustainability standards. These are often the biggest
hurdles for smaller exporters, who lack the legal and compliance teams that large companies have.
Lowering that barrier could bring more Indian MSMEs into global supply chains.
Piyush Goyal, Commerce and Industry Minister, speaking during the visit.
Source: ANI – India, Netherlands may explore dedicated platform to connect MSMEs
The visit is also closely tied to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. With negotiations concluded earlier in 2026, attention has turned to implementation and sector-specific market access. Goyal
reportedly met senior executives from 15 major Dutch companies and discussed the benefits of the
agreement. As a main entry point to the EU single market, the Netherlands stands to play a major
role in the trade flows the deal is expected to generate once it is ratified. Dutch firms that build
relationships with Indian partners now will be better placed when the agreement takes effect.
Still, announcements are not outcomes. Several things will show whether the Piyush Goyal
Netherlands visit succeeded:
• Launching the proposed MSME platform and making it usable for real businesses
• Finalising joint ventures and investments in semiconductors and green energy
• Applying Rotterdam’s logistics expertise to Indian ports and exports
• Turning forum conversations into signed agreements
For Indian businesses, the Netherlands offers a strong gateway to Europe, but one that rewards
long-term investment, technology sharing and alignment with European rules and standards. If the
discussions in The Hague and Rotterdam lead to concrete projects, the visit will be remembered as
a practical step toward a more resilient trade relationship, and as the business follow-through to
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s May visit, not just another diplomatic trip.
