Historic Chola inscriptions coming home; Tata seals semiconductor pact with ASML

Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a significant diplomatic win during his visit to the Netherlands, clinching an agreement to bring back 11th-century Chola copper plate inscriptions to India. The ancient Tamil documents, which have been housed abroad for nearly two centuries, mark a rare repatriation of cultural heritage from a European nation.

The collection comprises 21 large and 3 small copper plates, most inscribed in Tamil script. According to officials, the manuscripts contain invaluable records related to King Rajendra Chola I and his predecessor, King Rajaraja Chola I—two of India's most celebrated medieval monarchs. PM Modi described the return as a moment of cultural significance for the nation.

Experts believe the copper plates were removed from India during the 19th century, when European trading companies and research institutions systematically acquired Indian artefacts. The inscriptions, etched onto metal sheets using ancient recording techniques, offer historians crucial insights into Chola administration, land grants, and regional governance during the medieval period.

"These aren't just documents. They're a direct link to our civilisational heritage," said officials familiar with the repatriation process. The return underscores a broader push by New Delhi to recover historical artefacts held by Western institutions—a mission that has gained momentum in recent years.

Beyond cultural diplomacy, Modi's Netherlands visit yielded a major industrial partnership. At an event in The Hague, Tata Electronics and Dutch semiconductor equipment giant ASML signed a cooperation agreement focused on chip manufacturing and technology transfer.

The deal signals India's growing ambitions in semiconductor production. ASML, a world leader in chip-making machinery, will collaborate with Tata—which is aggressively expanding its semiconductor footprint domestically. The partnership comes as India attempts to reduce reliance on foreign chip imports and establish itself as a manufacturing hub in the sector.

"This agreement strengthens India's position in the global semiconductor supply chain," sources close to the negotiation said.

PM Modi met with Netherlands King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at the Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague on Saturday. The discussions centred on deepening ties across education, technology, water management, and renewable energy sectors.

The royal couple hosted a state dinner in Modi's honour, where conversations touched on expanding people-to-people exchanges. The King recalled his 2019 visit to India, describing it as transformative for bilateral relations. Modi reciprocated the sentiment, thanking the Netherlands for its warm hospitality and commitment to partnership.

At a CEO roundtable held the same day, PM Modi made a strong case for India as a preferred investment destination. He highlighted recent reforms in taxation, labour laws, and regulatory processes that have made manufacturing substantially cheaper and faster in the country.

"The time to invest in India is now," Modi told assembled business leaders. He noted that electronics, traditionally an import-dependent sector, has transformed into a major export industry—a shift driven by government incentives and infrastructure development.

The Prime Minister also referenced the recently finalised India-EU Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a catalyst for enhanced commercial ties. Over 300 Dutch companies currently operate in India, he pointed out, signalling existing confidence in the market.

The Netherlands-India relationship has steadily strengthened over the past five years, with cooperation extending into niche sectors like agritech and water resource management. Dutch expertise in water systems management has proven valuable for India's irrigation and flood management initiatives.

Modi's visit reinforces New Delhi's strategy of deepening ties with European partners outside the traditional UK-Germany-France axis. The combination of heritage repatriation, technology partnerships, and investment commitments reflects a multifaceted approach to bilateral engagement.

Officials indicated that follow-up delegations from both countries will oversee the logistics of the Chola plates' return and monitor progress on the semiconductor collaboration. The copper plate collection is expected to arrive in India within the coming months, likely to be housed in a national museum pending final institutional decisions.