PM Modi showcases India’s innovation push and democratic strength at The Hague diaspora event

highlighted India’s expanding technological capabilities, vibrant democracy and rising international stature while addressing the Indian community in The Hague during his visit to the Netherlands.

Interacting with members of the Indian diaspora, Modi lauded their contribution towards strengthening India’s global image and preserving cultural ties with their homeland despite living abroad.

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“Delighted to interact with the Indian community in The Hague. Their warmth, achievements and strong bond with India continue to make us proud,” the Prime Minister said.

Reflecting on India’s civilisational continuity, Modi said the country’s cultural heritage had remained alive through generations even as many ancient civilisations disappeared over time.

“History bears witness that many civilizations and cultures disappeared with the passage of time. But India’s diverse culture still beats strongly in the hearts of its people today,” he said.

The Prime Minister also spoke about his long political journey, describing the trust and support he has received from voters over the last 25 years as the most valuable aspect of his public life.

“13 years as Chief Minister… 12 years of service as Prime Minister… In the democratic world, receiving the continuous support of crores and crores of voters for 25 years… this is a matter of immense good fortune for me,” Modi said.

“For me, this is not just a number… it is my greatest asset,” he added.

Highlighting India’s push towards self-reliance in advanced technologies, Modi said the country was making significant progress in semiconductor manufacturing, with work underway on 12 semiconductor plants and production already beginning at two facilities.

“This means that chips will now be ‘designed in India’ as well as ‘made in India’,” he said.

The Prime Minister also underscored the rapid expansion of India’s startup ecosystem, noting that the country now has nearly 125 unicorns and the third-largest startup network globally.

“Our startups are doing remarkable work in AI, defense and space sector,” Modi said, adding that India’s innovation-led growth was creating fresh opportunities for international collaboration.

Stressing India’s democratic ethos, Modi said the country takes pride in ensuring participation from every citizen.

“India values the democratic participation of every one of its citizens. And as the mother of democracy, this is a matter of great pride for all of us,” he said.

He added that India and the Netherlands were working together to create trusted and transparent supply chains while also exploring broader cooperation in strategic and economic sectors.

“India and the Netherlands can coordinate in the global arena and work on securing global projects,” Modi said.

Describing the present decade as a challenging period for the international community, the Prime Minister referred to the Covid-19 pandemic and continuing global conflicts as major tests confronting the world.

“This decade is becoming a decade of challenges for the world,” he said.

At the same time, Modi asserted that India remained a country of immense opportunities driven by both technological advancement and humanitarian values.

“India is a land of opportunities. India is both technology driven and humanity driven,” he said.

The Prime Minister said India was currently witnessing an era of transformative growth powered by the aspirations of its people.

“Today’s India is going through a phase of unprecedented transformation,” he said.

“Aspirations in India are unlimited, so efforts are also becoming limitless,” Modi added.

Modi’s remarks came amid India’s growing engagement with European nations, particularly the Netherlands, in sectors such as semiconductors, climate action, innovation, trade and supply chain resilience.

The Netherlands has emerged as an important partner for India within the European Union, with both countries seeking stronger cooperation in areas including clean energy, water management and advanced technology.

The Indian-origin community in the Netherlands, estimated to be more than 200,000 strong, continues to play a key role in fostering cultural, economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.