PM Modi began the Netherlands leg of his five-nation tour with diaspora outreach and meetings lined up with Dutch leadership on trade, technology and strategic cooperation.
$40 billion investment push: PM Modi’s five-nation tour unlocks massive global commitments for India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday to an enthusiastic reception from the Indian community, with cultural performances and chants greeting him in The Hague as India looks to deepen strategic ties with the European nation in sectors ranging from semiconductors to clean energy.
The visit comes at a time when New Delhi is pushing to strengthen economic and technology partnerships with Europe, especially after renewed momentum in India-EU trade negotiations. PM Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and also meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during the two-day visit.
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Members of the Indian diaspora gathered outside the hotel where the Prime Minister was staying, with performers presenting cultural programmes, including Garba, to welcome him.
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“We performed Garba to welcome PM Modi. We interacted with him, and we are all very happy,” an artist named Gautam told ANI after the interaction.
Another performer, Reema, described the atmosphere as “amazing”.
“We are all feeling very happy to perform in front of PM Modi. The entire experience was amazing,” she said.
Shortly after landing in Amsterdam, PM Modi said the visit would help expand cooperation in several high-priority sectors between India and the Netherlands.
“Landed in Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when the India-EU Free Trade Agreement has given a major impetus to trade and investment linkages,” PM Modi wrote on X.
“It offers an opportunity to deepen relations in areas like semiconductors, water, clean energy and more,” he added.
Geland in Amsterdam. Dit bezoek aan Nederland vindt plaats op een moment dat de vrijhandelsovereenkomst tussen India en de EU een belangrijke impuls heeft gegeven aan de handels- en investeringsbetrekkingen. Het biedt de kans om de banden te versterken op gebieden als… pic.twitter.com/zXk3HZHVVN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2026
The Prime Minister also said he was looking forward to addressing the Indian community during the visit.
On arrival at Amsterdam Airport, PM Modi was received by Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar, Adjutant-General and Chief of the Military Household of His Majesty the King, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen, Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Kumar Tuhin, and other senior Dutch officials.
The Netherlands leg marks the second stop of PM Modi’s five-nation tour scheduled from May 15 to 20.
Before arriving in the Netherlands, PM Modi visited the United Arab Emirates, where he held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan amid rising regional tensions in West Asia.
During the meeting, PM Modi reiterated India’s support for the UAE and strongly condemned attacks targeting the Gulf nation.
“We strongly condemn the attacks on the UAE. The way the UAE has been targeted is unacceptable in any way,” PM Modi said during the discussions.
The Prime Minister also praised the UAE leadership’s response to the situation, saying the “restraint, courage, and wisdom” shown by Abu Dhabi were commendable.
Calling the UAE his “second home”, PM Modi thanked the Emirati leadership for the welcome extended to him and appreciated the support provided to the Indian community living in the Gulf country during difficult times.
The Prime Minister’s ongoing foreign tour is expected to focus heavily on trade, strategic cooperation, technology partnerships and diaspora engagement across multiple countries.
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