Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended today an Indian community reception in The Hague. On arrival, he was accorded a warm and spirited welcome by a large gathering of the Indian diaspora and friends of India in the Netherlands.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic and colourful reception. He praised the Indian diaspora for its contributions to the Dutch society and for serving as a living bridge of friendship between India and the Netherlands. He also recalled the deep and enduring historical ties of the Surinami-Hindustani community with India, and commended their efforts to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage across generations. Prime Minister highlighted that the large number of Indian professionals in the technology sector and the growing number of Indian students in Dutch universities, particularly in innovation-driven fields, were adding strength to contemporary partnership between the two countries. He further noted that sports linkages, in particular Cricket and Hockey, were contributing to new vibrancy to the close people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister underlined that bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands was steadily expanding, with technology and innovation emerging as key focus areas. He underscored the robust and growing trade and economic relationship between the two countries, noting that the Netherlands is among India's largest export destinations in Europe and one of its foremost investment partners. He added that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement would further unlock new opportunities for both sides.
Prime Minister highlighted the growth and progress happening in India with the objective to become a developed country - Viksit Bharat by 2047. He noted the scale and pace of the ongoing transformation in India through wide-ranging advancements across infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, and digital systems. He emphasized that India was confidently shaping its own future, while contributing to global growth and prosperity.
Prime Minister assured the community that the Government of India stood firmly behind every Indian living abroad and remained committed to their welfare. He called upon them to actively contribute to the Viksit Bharat journey by leveraging their experience in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is home to the largest number of Indian origin people in mainland Europe, including around 200,000 members of the Surinami-Hindustani community. In this regard, he highlighted the liberalisation in OCI eligibility for the Surinami-Hindustani diaspora from 4th generation to 6th generation. The full address of Prime Minister may be seen here [Link].
मानवता का इतिहास साक्षी है कि समय के साथ अनेक संस्कृतियां मिट गईं।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 16, 2026
लेकिन भारत का diverse culture, आज भी अपने लोगों के दिलों में धड़कता है: PM @narendramodi
13 वर्ष मुख्यमंत्री के रूप में... 12 वर्ष प्रधानमंत्री का सेवाकाल... Democratic World में 25 वर्षों तक... करोड़ों-करोड़ वोटर्स का लगातार समर्थन... ये मेरे लिए बहुत ही बड़े सौभाग्य की बात है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 16, 2026
मेरे लिए ये सिर्फ एक आंकड़ा नहीं है... ये मेरी बहुत बड़ी पूंजी है: PM @narendramodi
जब भारत में Aspirations Unlimited हैं, तो Efforts भी Limitless हो रहे हैं: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 16, 2026
भारत chip making में, semiconductor sector में भी बड़े कदम उठा रहा है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 16, 2026
अभी भारत में 12 semiconductor plants पर काम चल रहा है। इनमें से दो plants में production भी शुरु हो चुका है।
यानि अब chip भी, designed in India, made in India होगी: PM @narendramodi
भारत की aspiration driven journey, हमारी democracy को सशक्त कर रही है: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 16, 2026
भारत... अपने हर citizen की democratic participation को value करता है।
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 16, 2026
और mother of democracy के रूप में, ये हम सभी के लिए बहुत गर्व की बात है: PM @narendramodi
