India Netherlands Trade
The Netherlands is India's 4th-largest FDI investor and one of the largest export destination in Europe, with cumulative FDI inflows of US$ 56.67 billion from April 2000 to March 2026.
Introduction
India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947, with 2026 marking 79 years of bilateral diplomatic ties. Today, the two countries are maintaining strong political, economic & commercial relations. High-level mutual exchanges have provided an impetus to the multifaceted partnership between the two countries. Over the years, India Netherlands trade has emerged as a key pillar of this relationship, with strong India Netherlands trade relations fostering bilateral trade between India and the Netherlands, investment flows, innovation and technology collaboration. The growing India Netherlands economic partnership continues to boost India exports to Netherlands while creating new trade opportunities between India and the Netherlands.
India-Netherland Trade
- The Netherlands is the 4th largest investor in India with an FDI inflow of Rs. 3,92,849.90 crore US$ 56.676 billion (From April 2000-March 2026).
- Bilateral trade between India-Netherlands reached at US$ 23.287 billion in FY26.
- India’s exports to the Netherlands stood at US$ 22.76 billion in FY25 and around US$ 17.500 billion in FY26.
- India’s imports from the Netherlands stood at US$ 5.00 billion in FY25 and US$ 5.786 billion in FY26.
Major exports from India to the Netherlands
- India’s exports to the Netherlands stood at around US$ 17.5 billion in FY26.
- India exported 5,017 commodities to the Netherlands in FY26.
- Major exported items from India to the Netherlands in FY26 included Petroleum Products (US$ 8.44 billion), followed by Engineering Goods (US$ 2.23 billion), Electronic Goods (US$ 1.52 billion), Organic and Inorganic Chemicals (US$ 1.09 billion), Others (US$ 826.59 million), Ready-Made Garments (RMG) of All Textiles (US$ 784.58 million), Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (US$ 751.25 million), Fruits and Vegetables (US$ 302.96 million), Leather and Leather Manufactures (US$ 241.91 million), Cotton Yarn/Fabrics/Made-ups, Handloom Products, etc. (US$ 135.23 million), Man-made Yarn/Fabrics/Made-ups, etc. (US$ 133.20 million), and Plastic and Linoleum (US$ 131.79 million) in FY26.
Major imports by India from the Netherlands
- India’s imports from the Netherlands stood at US$ 5.78 billion in FY26.
- India imported 4,114 commodities from the Netherlands in FY26.
- Major items imported by India from the Netherlands in FY26 included Electronic Goods (US$ 1.02 billion), followed by Machinery, Electrical and Non-Electrical (US$ 900.77 million), Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Products (US$ 574.42 million), Organic and Inorganic Chemicals (US$ 463.48 million), Non-Ferrous Metals (US$ 453.69 million), Professional Instruments, Optical Goods, etc. (US$ 393.92 million), Artificial Resins, Plastic Materials, etc. (US$ 347.12 million), Others (US$ 295.20 million), Chemical Materials and Products (US$ 284.92 million), Transport Equipment (US$ 257.59 million), and Iron and Steel (US$ 226.97 million).
Economic Relations and Investments
- As of FY 26 The Netherlands is India's fourth-largest export destination globally and the largest export destination in Europe. The Netherlands is the fourth-largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI Rs.3.92 lakh crore (US$ 55.6 billion) from April 2000 to March 2026. Indian companies have invested around US$ 28 billion in the Netherlands, making it the fifth-largest destination for India's overseas direct investment (ODI). More than 300 Dutch companies operate in India, while over 300 Indian companies have established a presence in the Netherlands.
- On December 19–20, 2025, India and the Netherlands formally established the India-Netherlands Joint Trade & Investment Committee (JTIC) through an MoU, providing a formal annual institutional mechanism to review bilateral trade relations, promote two-way investments, and advance economic cooperation in sectors of mutual interest
- In April 2025, Commerce Secretary Mr. Sunil Barthwal’s visit to the Netherlands advanced discussions on boosting bilateral trade and investments, highlighting that India’s exports to the Netherlands saw growth, with exports at USD 22.76 billion in 2024-25.
- Talks in April 2025 also laid the groundwork for collaboration on port linkages such as Green & Digital Corridor between Rotterdam and Indian ports and discussed expanding exports of green hydrogen and its carriers via Rotterdam as a gateway to Europe.
- On April 24-26, 2025, discussions, India and the Netherlands explored deeper strategic economic cooperation and addressed trade and logistics barriers to facilitate smoother market access for businesses on both sides
- On March 31–April 1, 2025, Netherlands Foreign Minister Mr. Caspar Veldkamp made his first official visit to India, during which both sides emphasized strengthening trade, investments, innovation, and cooperation in semiconductors, digital technologies, renewable energy, and green hydrogen alongside traditional sectors like water, agriculture, health, and security
- The cumulative FDI inflows from the Netherlands to India from April 2000-March 2025 amounted to US$ 53.30 billion.
- During the FY25, the total merchandise trade with the Netherlands stood at USD 22.76 billion.
- In April 2025, Commerce Secretary Mr. Sunil Barthwal & Ambassador @ktuhinv met DG Foreign Economic Relations Mr Michiel Sweers in The Hague to discuss strengthening - bilateral trade & economic ties. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration through the Joint Trade & Investment Committee (JTIC) and advancing strategic economic cooperation.
- According to data from commerce ministry, the Netherlands has emerged as India's third largest exports destination after the US and UAE during 2023-24.
- On 23rd February 2024, the Indian Defence Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh, held a bilateral meeting with the Defence Minister of the Netherlands, Ms. Kajsa Ollongren, in New Delhi. During the meeting, the two Ministers discussed the potential for expanding their countries bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in the areas of maritime and industrial collaboration.
- There are over 300 Dutch companies present in India, including Philips, Signify, Akzo Nobel, DSM, Heineken, KLM, and others. Indian companies are also investing in the Netherlands in a big way and the Netherlands is now the 4th largest destination for Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) by Indian companies. More than 300 Indian companies have a presence in the Netherlands.
- Key areas of cooperation between India and the Netherlands are agriculture, health, port and shipping, science and technology, higher education, and urban development. Both countries are working on strategic partnerships in the water sector as the Netherlands is a pioneer in water management besides science and R&D.
- Major Indian acquisitions of Dutch enterprises include OYO Hotels & Homes acquiring Amsterdam-based vacation rental firm @Leisure Group in 2019 for US$ 415 million, Tata Steel’s acquisition of Anglo-Dutch company Corus for US$ 7.5 billion (£ 6.2 billion) in 2007, Apollo Tyres’ acquiring Dutch tiremaker Vredestein Banden in 2009 for an undisclosed amount, and the acquisition of Dutch company Bilthoven Biologicals by the Serum Institute of India in 2018 for US$ 85 million (€ 80 million).
Recent Trends & developments
- During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Netherlands in May 2026, India and the Netherlands elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership and adopted the India–Netherlands Strategic Partnership Roadmap (2026–2030), aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, semiconductors, critical minerals, renewable energy, digital technologies and innovation.
- In May 2026, Tata Electronics and ASML signed an agreement to collaborate on India's first front-end semiconductor fabrication facility in Gujarat. The two countries also signed an MoU on Critical Minerals, held the first Joint Working Group meeting on Renewable Energy, and expanded cooperation in green hydrogen.
- India and the Netherlands continue to deepen their strategic partnership through collaboration in water management, agriculture, science, technology and innovation. In April 2026, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that the two countries are expanding cooperation in areas such as climate-resilient agriculture, water conservation, biotechnology, clean technologies and research partnerships, reflecting the growing importance of innovation-led bilateral engagement.
- On 19 December 2025, India and the Netherlands established the India-Netherlands Joint Trade & Investment Committee (JTIC) through a Memorandum of Understanding, creating a formal institutional mechanism to deepen bilateral economic cooperation, promote two-way investments, address trade and investment barriers, and explore collaboration in priority sectors. The JTIC will hold annual meetings alternately in both countries, reinforcing sustained engagement and strategic dialogue on trade and investment matters.
- The JTIC framework reflects strong mutual commitment from both sides to not only strengthen trade and investment flows but also to enhance interaction between chambers of commerce and focus on MSMEs, technology exchange, and innovation — expanding cooperation beyond traditional commerce.
- In April 2025, India, Netherlands Agree to Deepen Economic Partnership and Boost Trade Cooperation
- In April 2025, the Netherlands, a world leader in semiconductors, is looking to finalise an agreement with India for cooperation in chips and critical technologies that will focus on both trade and research.
- In April 2024, the Union Health Secretary, Mr. Apurva Chandra, visited the manufacturing facility of Bilthoven Biologicals in Utrecht, Netherlands. He held a productive meeting with the CEOs of Bilthoven Biologicals and Poonawalla Science Park to discuss EU pandemic preparedness and vaccine production collaboration.
- India has committed to the Paris Agreement with ambitious goals of cutting emissions of greenhouse gases by 33-35% and having 450 GW of non-fossil power generation capacity by 2030. India and the Netherlands work together to meet these goals.
- A Joint Statement to formally establish a bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) between India and the Netherlands to facilitate investments by Dutch companies in India, was signed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Embassy of Netherlands on September 27, 2022, in New Delhi.
- The President of India Mr. Ram Nath Kovind paid a State Visit to the Netherlands from 4-7 April 2022. The President welcomed Dutch start-ups and SMEs working in geospatial mapping, Artificial Intelligence, clean energy, assistive technology, and biomedical devices to ‘Make in India’ and innovate in India. Other announcements during the visit include extension of MoU on bilateral cooperation in the field of Ports, Maritime Transport, and Logistics; and the extension of the Programme of Cooperation between Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, Government of the Netherlands.
- According to a tentative deal agreed between the two firms on October 25, 2022, Tata Steel’s Dutch division intends to supply Ford plants in Europe with “green” steel after 2030. In 2030, Tata intends to begin manufacturing green steel at its Dutch facility in Ijmuiden, or steel made without the use of fossil fuels.
- LyondellBasell and Shakti Plastic Industries, India’s largest plastic scrap recycler and waste collection company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a joint venture to build and operate a fully automated, mechanical recycling plant in India. The plant is intended to process rigid packaging post-consumer waste and produce 50,000 tonnes of recycled polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) per year, equivalent to the single-use plastic waste produced by 12.5 million citizens.
- On December 1, 2022, Dutch and Indian representatives from both the government and the business sector gathered to celebrate India’s decision to invite the Netherlands as a guest country in the upcoming G20. The gathering was an important occasion to promote business and investment relations between the two countries.
- India and Netherlands held the 11th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) on December 19, 2022, where both sides discussed the way forward in crucial sectors such as Water, Agriculture and Health (WAH agenda), Science and Technology, climate innovation, and renewable technologies. The re-launch of Free Trade Agreement negotiations and the Connectivity partnership between India and the EU were acknowledged as key drivers by both sides.
- The Dutch Prime Minister Mr. Mark Rutte led the Netherlands Trade Mission to Bengaluru from 10-14 September 2023. The trade mission followed the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi from 9-10 September 2023. Around 90 representatives from over 60 Dutch companies were part of the trade mission representing the sectors of key enabling technologies, medical technologies and sustainable food systems. Around 27 MoUs were signed by Dutch and Indian stakeholders to reinforce the partnerships in semiconductors, cloud computing, sustainable agriculture, research and development in greenhouses, crop varieties, and technology development for the affordable healthcare sector.
Conclusion
The Joint Trade and Investment Committee institutional framework and growing trade surplus highlight resilient India-Netherlands economic ties, expanding exports, deeper engagement on innovation and sustainable growth, and strategic cooperation within Europe’s market context. The relations between India and the Netherlands date back to the early 17th century. This long-cherished historic bond is based on the shared values, rule of law, pluralism, and people-to-people connection between the two countries. The continuous cooperation in the different areas has undeniably brought the Netherlands and India closer. They are maintaining cooperation in trade and economy, energy transition, smart cities and urban mobility, science & technology cooperation, water management and agriculture sector, public health & health care and culture and also becoming stronger to solve the global challenges together. With rising India exports to Netherlands, growing Netherlands imports from India, and expanding bilateral trade between India and the Netherlands, the India Netherlands economic partnership is expected to create further trade opportunities between India and the Netherlands and strengthen India Netherlands trade relations in the years ahead.
Contacts
- Embassy of India, Netherlands
Address: Buitenrustweg 2, 2517 KD The Hague, Netherlands
Telephone: +31-070-3469771
Email: consular.thehague@mea.gov.in
Officials:
Mr. Kumar Tuhin- Ambassador;
Email: amb.thehague@mea.gov.in
Mrs. Ann Haokip- Deputy Chief of Mission;
Email: dcm.thehague@mea.gov.in;
Phone: +31-70-346-9771 - Embassy of Netherlands, India
Address: 6/50 F, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021
Phone: +91-11-24197600
Email: NDE-IA@minbuza.nl
Officials:
Ms. Marisa Gerards (Ambassador)
FAQs
Petroleum products are India's largest export to the Netherlands, followed by engineering goods, electronic goods, organic and inorganic chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
India-Netherlands trade has expanded through higher trade volumes, increased investment and institutional initiatives such as the Joint Trade & Investment Committee (JTIC).
Key sectors include engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, semiconductors, renewable energy, water management and agriculture.
The Netherlands serves as India's largest export destination in Europe and offers opportunities in engineering goods, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Petroleum products, engineering goods, electronic goods, ready-made garments, chemicals and pharmaceutical products are among India's major exports to the Netherlands.
Mechanisms such as the JTIC promote trade, facilitate investments and strengthen cooperation in MSMEs, technology and other priority sectors.
Semiconductors, renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals, biotechnology and digital technologies are emerging areas of bilateral cooperation.
Growing bilateral investments, government engagement, trade facilitation initiatives and collaboration in strategic sectors continue to support trade growth.
Indian businesses can leverage the Netherlands as a gateway to Europe while focusing on high-demand sectors such as engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and electronics.
Products linked to semiconductors, clean energy, green hydrogen, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing are expected to offer future export opportunities.
Partners
