A senior executive from Dutch semiconductor company ASML criticised European Union leaders for being difficult to access for companies like his. Frank Heemskerk, ASML’s EVP of global public affairs, made these remarks after a meeting between ASML’s CEO Christophe Fouquet and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Heemskerk recounted that Modi spent an hour and a half listening and then asked how they could improve, suggesting an open and constructive communication style.
He emphasised that European leaders should adopt Modi’s approach, noting that it is easier to engage with officials in the United States than with European policymakers such as President Ursula von der Leyen. He remarked during the ‘Competitive Europe’ summit in Brussels that European companies face barriers in reaching top policymakers, which hampers their ability to advocate for investments and innovation.
Heemskerk highlighted ASML’s recent €1.3 billion deal with French AI firm Mistral, explaining that the partnership was driven by Mistral’s focus on industrial AI rather than geopolitics. He acknowledged that it is simpler to collaborate with fellow European companies due to shared understanding, but emphasised that cross-border partnerships are crucial for technological advancement.
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ASML is a leader in semiconductor lithography, providing hardware, software, and services essential for chip manufacturing. Meanwhile, India has recently marked a milestone in its semiconductor journey with the production of the first Made-in-India chips from a pilot line, presented to Prime Minister Modi. Backed by the India Semiconductor Mission, the initiative aims to boost local chip production and integrate India further into global electronics supply chains, with a Rs 76,000 crore fund supporting investments in fabrication, display manufacturing, and chip design.
