Sawt Falasteen - Modi oversees semiconductor deal on Dutch trip

ASML, which makes cutting-edge machines to manufacture semi-conductors, said it would "enable the establishment and ramp-up" of the Dholera plant in Modi's home state of Gujarat in western India.

The Dutch firm would deploy its advanced lithography tools in the plant, which allow for the rapid mass production of high-tech microchips, found in everything from cars to mobile phones.

The deal came as the Netherlands and India were set to strike an economic partnership accord, following on from a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union that Modi dubbed "the mother of all deals."

ASML, Europe's biggest tech firm by market value, said it saw "many compelling opportunities" in the Indian semiconductor sector.

"We are committed to establishing long-term partnerships in the region," said ASML's chief executive officer Christophe Fouquet in a statement.

Tata Electronics' plant, with a planned investment of $11bn, will make semiconductor chips for the AI sector, as well as the car industry and other economic segments.

New Delhi sees the European bloc as an important source of much-needed technology and investment to rapidly upscale its infrastructure and create millions of new jobs.

On the other side, the EU has eyed India -- the world's most populous nation and a fast-growing economy -- as an important market for the future.

Modi's trip to the Netherlands was his second since 2017, as the two countries seek to boost bilateral trade from the $27.8 billion (23.7 billion euros) last year.

Earlier Saturday, Modi also addressed a large crowd of Indian ex-pats and visited Dutch King Willem Alexander.

During his trip, he will also inspect the centuries-old Chola Plates, rings with engraved copper plates, that are being returned to India by Leiden University.

T.Ibrahim--SF-PST