India has initiated a broad commercial initiative in Western Europe, with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal arriving in Berlin to begin a six-day, two-country economic visit.
Joining the minister is a delegation from India comprising around 100 leaders of enterprises and startup creators. The initiative, taking place from October 22 to October 27 in Germany and the Netherlands, aims to secure new foreign investments, expand direct trade routes, and enhance integration in manufacturing and technology, as outlined in an agenda released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Upon arriving in the German capital, Goyal was welcomed by India's Ambassador to Germany, Ajit Gupte. Gupte noted that the German part of the tour focuses on enhancing bilateral investment avenues, promoting collaborative projects in technology, clean energy, and green mobility, and pinpointing concrete business benefits linked to the broader India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The Berlin schedule, set for October 22 to 24, centers on Goyal’s involvement in the Berlin Global Dialogue.
At that venue, the minister will advocate for India to global policymakers and top executives, emphasizing the nation’s macroeconomic stability, the extent of its domestic production, and its strategic importance in reducing risks in worldwide supply chains.
In addition to the forum, Goyal is scheduled for direct discussions with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, along with the Economic and Financial Policy Advisor from the Federal Chancellery and the G7/G20 Sherpa.
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The government-level discussions will coincide with targeted industry roundtables pairing Indian representatives with German business leaders. Discussions will encompass a wide range of technical and manufacturing topics: artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, automotive engineering, renewable energy, clean technology, logistics, infrastructure, information technology, consumer products, agri-food systems, healthcare, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and wellness.
After the Berlin meetings conclude, Goyal will lead the delegation to the Netherlands from October 24 to 27. The Dutch timetable alternates between logistics in industry and advanced policy. On October 25, the group will visit the Port of Rotterdam to inspect its cargo centers and maritime support systems.
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Official political discussions take place in The Hague, where Goyal is set to meet with the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate as well as the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, focusing on trade growth and collaborative green transition initiatives. He will additionally conduct meetings with the King’s Commissioner of North Holland together with legislators from the Dutch Parliament’s foreign trade and European affairs committees.
The diplomatic mission concludes on October 26 at the India-Netherlands Business Forum held in The Hague. Goyal and the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation will collaboratively speak to business leaders, organizing six concurrent sector-focused roundtables and facilitating direct B2B networking in food processing, innovation, clean energy, logistics connectivity, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, manufacturing, and services.
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The commerce ministry highlighted that the complete European tour intends to strengthen India’s enduring strategic economic position with Berlin and The Hague while hastening collaborative industrial and technological initiatives.