Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in the Netherlands as part of a high-profile European tour focused heavily on clean technologies, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. While the diplomatic agenda covers a wide range of bilateral interests, the absolute center of gravity for this visit is India's semiconductor project. One single company headquartered in the quiet Dutch town of Veldhoven holds the key to India's chip-making ambitions. ASML, the undisputed global titan of semiconductor lithography equipment, sells machines used to manufacture the majority of chips all over the world.
As Prime Minister Modi is expected to interact with top ASML executives during his transit through the country, the meetings will highlight a critical reality for India. Its multi-billion-dollar dream of becoming a global chip manufacturing superpower is fundamentally tethered to the goodwill and supply chains of this single Dutch enterprise. Without ASML, the mega-fabs currently breaking ground on Indian soil cannot produce most semiconductors.
