THE HAGUE — Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from a large gathering of the Indian diaspora and friends of India at an Indian community reception in The Hague on Saturday.
Speaking to attendees, Mr. Modi thanked the crowd for their enthusiastic reception and praised the diaspora for strengthening ties between India and the Netherlands. He highlighted the Surinamese‑Hindustani community’s long historical connection with India and commended their efforts to preserve cultural traditions across generations.
The prime minister noted the increasing presence of Indian professionals in the Dutch technology sector and a rise in Indian students pursuing innovation‑driven studies at Dutch universities, saying these developments bolster contemporary cooperation. He also pointed to growing sports links—especially in cricket and hockey—as adding new vibrancy to people‑to‑people relations.
Mr. Modi described bilateral ties as steadily expanding, with technology and innovation as focal areas, and highlighted the Netherlands’ role as a major export destination for India in Europe and a key investment partner. He said the proposed India‑EU Free Trade Agreement would create additional opportunities for both sides.
Outlining India’s development agenda, Mr. Modi reiterated the government’s aim to achieve a developed “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, citing rapid progress in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, and digital systems. He urged members of the diaspora to contribute to India’s transformation by sharing their expertise from the Netherlands.
Assuring Indians abroad of New Delhi’s commitment to their welfare, the prime minister also noted a recent liberalisation expanding OCI eligibility for the Surinamese‑Hindustani community from fourth to sixth generation. The Netherlands hosts the largest population of Indian origin in mainland Europe, including about 200,000 people of Surinamese‑Hindustani descent.