After a brief stop in the UAE, PM Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday. He is set to engage in discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. This visit, taking place from May 15 to 17, marks his second trip to the country since 2017 and arrives at an “important juncture” in India-Netherlands relations, according to officials.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) indicates that the visit features a “rich and substantive agenda,” aimed at enhancing collaboration in strategic areas such as semiconductors, clean energy, defense, innovation, maritime security, and education. In recent years, India and the Netherlands have significantly expanded their partnership beyond traditional sectors like trade, agriculture, water, and health.
The Netherlands ranks among India’s largest trading partners in Europe, with bilateral trade valued at $27.8 billion for 2024-25. It is also India’s fourth-largest source of foreign direct investment, totaling $55.6 billion, officials reported.
While addressing the Indian diaspora in The Hague, PM Modi characterized India as a “land of opportunities” undergoing an “unprecedented transformation,” asserting that the country’s ambitions extend “beyond its borders.”
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“Today India is proclaiming that we seek not just transformation but excellence and speed,” he noted in his address, which lasted over 40 minutes. He emphasized India’s thriving startup ecosystem, mentioning that the nation currently has nearly 125 active unicorns, making it the world’s third-largest startup hub.
PM Modi expressed India’s aspiration to become a global manufacturing hub, a leader in green energy, and the “growth engine of the world,” while also aiming to host the Olympics. Referring to India’s advancements in technology and science, he highlighted achievements like the successful G20 presidency, the AI summit, and the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission.
He also discussed the growing collaboration between India and the Netherlands in green hydrogen, supply chains, and clean energy, stating that both nations are working together to develop a “trusted, transparent, and future-ready supply chain.”
In drawing a cultural parallel, PM Modi noted that while the Netherlands is famous for tulips, India is known for the lotus. “Both the tulip and the lotus remind us that regardless of whether the roots lie in water or in soil, one can derive both beauty and strength,” he remarked.
The prime minister underscored the connection between the two countries through sports, particularly cricket and hockey. Commenting on the Netherlands’ success in the recent T20 World Cup, he praised Indian-origin players like Teja Nidamanuru, Vikramjit Singh, and Aryan Dutt.
He also acknowledged the significant contributions of Dutch coaches to Indian hockey, specifically mentioning Sjoerd Marijne, who led the Indian women’s hockey team to a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.
During his address, PM Modi asserted that the Indian diaspora could serve as a “trusted bridge” in enhancing India-Europe economic cooperation, especially as momentum builds around the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
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Over 90,000 NRIs and persons of Indian origin reside in the Netherlands, along with more than 200,000 members of the Suriname-Hindustani community. Approximately 3,500 Indian students are currently enrolled in Dutch universities.
After concluding his visit to the Netherlands, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Sweden, Norway, and Italy.
(Edited by : Jomy Jos Pullokaran)
First Published: May 16, 2026 10:13 PM IST
