Netherlands envoy calls SEMICON India geopolitically significant as Modi set to inaugurate

Netherlands Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards on Wednesday described SEMICON India as a matter of geopolitical significance and underlined her country's collaboration with India on semiconductors, a sector both governments treat as strategically vital.

Speaking ahead of the event, Gerards said the Netherlands was pleased to take part and proud to partner with India on the subject. She also extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Her remarks came on the eve of the fifth edition of SEMICON India, which Modi is scheduled to inaugurate on Thursday at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi. The three-day national convention on the country's semiconductor and electronics ecosystem runs from September 17 to 19.

Organised jointly by the India Semiconductor Mission, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the global industry body SEMI, the gathering is built around the theme "Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem", with a focus on industry engagement, policy direction and international partnerships.

According to MeitY, more than 600 exhibitors — including 300 international firms — will take part across 15,000 square metres, alongside over 150 speakers. The exhibition floor will host six country pavilions and 12 state government pavilions, with dedicated spaces for startups, student hackathons and workforce development.

The convention will also take stock of manufacturing milestones. Under the Semicon India Programme, the Union government has approved 12 semiconductor projects, of which three units cleared under Semicon 1.0 have begun commercial production. The Union Cabinet has approved a next phase, Semicon 2.0, structured around six core pillars.

Electronic design automation tools have been extended to more than 400 academic institutions and 105 startups, while 24 startups have received approvals under the Design Linked Incentive scheme.

MeitY said the 2026 edition adopts a comprehensive value-chain approach, tracing the journey from semiconductor materials and manufacturing to advanced packaging, design, electronics and systems. A new "Sand to Silicon to Systems" Value Chain Experience is intended to give visitors an integrated view of the ecosystem and demonstrate India's expanding capabilities at different stages.

The Startup Pavilion will feature around 40 startups, while the Workforce Development Pavilion will serve as a platform for talent, skills and careers in microelectronics.

The event is expected to offer Indian and international companies a chance to explore partnerships, investment, technology collaborations and supply-chain linkages, reinforcing India's position as a trusted global semiconductor partner. Among the global and domestic firms taking part in the exhibition and strategic roundtables are ASML, Applied Materials, Teradyne, Infineon, Ebara, Jabil, IBM Research, NXP, Tata Electronics, Micron, Merck KGaA, Rapidus, Lam Research, CG Power, Uno Minda, Advantest and Tokyo Electron.