EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — March 5, 2026 : An Indian trade delegation visited the semiconductor hub of Brainport Eindhoven in the Netherlands on March 4 to explore investment opportunities and discuss collaboration with Dutch companies involved in critical segments of the global chip ecosystem. The visit formed part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen its domestic semiconductor industry and integrate with international supply chains.
The delegation was organized under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India. It included operational and technical personnel responsible for implementing semiconductor projects rather than policy-level diplomats.
The group was led by Manish Hooda, Director (Technology) at the ISM, and also included representatives from the Indian Embassy in the Netherlands and members of Indo-Dutch trade and innovation networks. The delegation’s primary objective was to engage with Dutch companies involved in semiconductor equipment, materials, and supply chain technologies and present India as a potential manufacturing and investment destination.
Engagement With Dutch Semiconductor Firms
Eindhoven and the surrounding Brainport region represent one of Europe’s most concentrated semiconductor clusters. The area hosts ASML, the world’s only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems used in advanced chip production, as well as NXP Semiconductors, a major semiconductor developer headquartered in the region.
During the visit, the Indian delegation held discussions with ASML, NXP Semiconductors, and numerous Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers involved in semiconductor equipment and materials. Approximately 50 to 60 Dutch companies requested meetings with the delegation, reflecting industry interest in exploring partnerships with India’s emerging semiconductor ecosystem.
The focus of these meetings was on collaboration in areas such as manufacturing equipment, materials supply, and other specialized segments of the semiconductor value chain.
Incentives Offered Under India Semiconductor Mission
The delegation presented details of India’s financial incentive programs designed to attract semiconductor investment. The ISM initiative, launched in 2021, provides fiscal support covering up to 50 percent of eligible project costs for semiconductor fabrication facilities, compound semiconductor manufacturing, assembly-testing-marking-packaging (ATMP) facilities, and related supply chain segments.
State governments in India supplement this support with additional incentives typically ranging from 20 to 25 percent. These incentives can include assistance with capital expenditure, land acquisition, power tariffs, infrastructure support, and workforce development programs.
According to Manish Hooda, these combined measures are intended to reduce the financial burden on companies establishing semiconductor manufacturing or supply chain operations in India.
Semiconductor Projects Under Development in India
The delegation highlighted ongoing semiconductor initiatives in India as examples of progress under the ISM program. Eight projects have received approval under the framework, covering fabrication, packaging, and semiconductor design activities.
A major project cited during discussions is the fabrication facility being developed through a joint venture between Tata Electronics and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. The plant is being constructed in Dholera, located in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Approved in February 2024 with an investment of approximately ₹91,000 crore (around $11 billion), the facility is designed for a production capacity of 50,000 wafer starts per month. The fab is expected to manufacture semiconductor nodes suitable for power management integrated circuits, display drivers, microcontrollers, and high-performance logic components used in automotive electronics, artificial intelligence systems, and 5G infrastructure.
Construction is currently underway, and commercial operations are projected to begin in the late 2020s.
Supply Chain Diversification and “China-Plus-One” Strategy
During meetings in Eindhoven, Hooda stated that Dutch companies seeking to diversify manufacturing under a “China-plus-one” strategy should consider India as a production base outside China. The concept refers to multinational companies expanding manufacturing operations beyond China to reduce supply chain risks.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of continuing export restrictions and technology controls related to advanced semiconductor equipment. These measures have encouraged companies to examine alternative locations for manufacturing and supply chain operations.
India has positioned itself as a potential destination by offering financial incentives, a large engineering workforce, and a growing domestic electronics market.
India–Netherlands Semiconductor Cooperation
The March visit also aligns with broader bilateral cooperation efforts between India and the Netherlands in the semiconductor sector. A strategic partnership focused on semiconductor technologies is expected to be announced during a planned visit to the Netherlands by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, later in 2026.
Earlier in January 2026, India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the headquarters of ASML in Veldhoven. During that visit he indicated that the Dholera semiconductor fabrication facility would incorporate ASML lithography systems. ASML has also indicated plans to establish a support office in India.
Existing Industry Links With India
NXP Semiconductors already maintains a significant presence in India through research and development operations employing more than 3,000 engineers across multiple locations. Company leadership has indicated that India could account for approximately 8 to 10 percent of its global revenue in the coming years.
India’s workforce presence in the Netherlands has also expanded over the past decade. The number of Indian professionals working in the country increased from roughly 30,000 in 2014 to about 89,000 in 2024. More than 10,000 of these professionals are based in the Eindhoven region, many of them employed in technology and semiconductor-related fields.
Focus on Supply Chain Segments
The March 4 visit did not result in immediate investment announcements or memoranda of understanding. Instead, the meetings were intended to establish relationships and initiate discussions with equipment suppliers and technology companies that form key parts of the semiconductor supply chain.
This approach reflects India’s strategy of developing a broader semiconductor ecosystem by attracting not only fabrication facilities but also the specialized equipment manufacturers, materials providers, and design capabilities that support chip production.
Further developments from these engagements are expected to emerge through continued industry discussions and upcoming diplomatic exchanges between India and the Netherlands later in 2026.
——— End of Article ———
