New Delhi: On Friday, 15th of May, Mr. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, landed in the Netherlands as part of his diplomatic tour to five nations. During the visit, he will hold bilateral meetings with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten to further develop cooperation in maritime security, water management, innovation, and renewable energy, among other areas.
At the airport, Mr Modi was greeted by Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar, Adjutant-General and Chief of the Military Household of His Majesty the King, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, and India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Kumar Tuhin, as well as high-ranking officials in the Netherlands.
The visit follows Mr. Modi’s 2017 visit and coincides with an important moment in India-Netherlands relations, as both sides are advancing their cooperation beyond traditional sectors such as agriculture, water management, and healthcare into high-tech and strategic areas.
A strong economic and trade partnership.A good economic and trade relationship.
The Netherlands is now one of the most important economic partners of India in Europe. It is one of the leading foreign investors in India and also serves as an important entry point for Indian businesses to access the European market.
In recent years, bilateral trade between India and the Netherlands has grown steadily, and the two countries have been working together in logistics, digital technology, clean energy, ports and shipping, and semiconductor development. One of the largest ports in Europe, Rotterdam Port remains a key player in connectivity for India-Europe trade.
India is also moving to deepen ties with the Netherlands in the fields of smart water management, climate action, sustainable agriculture, and green hydrogen, where the Dutch are known for their expertise worldwide.
Warm Welcome by Indian Diaspora in The Hague
The Indian community in The Hague welcomed the Prime Minister with great fervor, and New Delhi’s High Commissioner attended the event with a large number of its members. A colorful Garba was organized by Indian-origin artists in his honor, along with cultural and classical performances.
The program gave artists a chance to interact with the Prime Minister, after which they expressed their excitement. Gautam from the group said the group had performed Garba particularly to welcome Mr. Modi, whereas another performer, Reema, said it is “amazing” and added that the community was proud to perform in front of Mr. Modi.
The Indian community residing in the Netherlands is regarded as one of the largest Indian diaspora groups in mainland Europe and has contributed to enhancing cultural and people-to-people relations between the Netherlands and India.
MEA Calls Visit “Rich and Substantive”
Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the visit would have a “rich and substantive agenda” and will give an opportunity to “enhance the multifaceted India-Netherlands partnership.”
Prime Minister Modi added on Twitter that the visit will be opportune, as the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations are also giving fresh impetus to trade and investment relations between India and Europe.
