Members of the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands on Saturday, 17 May 2025, described their personal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in The Hague as one of the greatest honours of their lives, with several calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The warm reception came as Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday evening as part of a broader multi-nation diplomatic tour across Europe.

Diaspora Members Speak Out

Community members who met the Prime Minister were effusive in their praise. 'We are fortunate to meet PM Modi personally,' one diaspora member said. 'PM Modi is not just an Indian leader but a world leader. He has put in a lot of effort into making India a strong nation.'

Another attendee called the interaction nothing short of extraordinary. 'It was amazing. It was the honour of our lives. Meeting PM Modi in person was truly a blessing,' the individual said.

Notably, a member of the Muslim community within the Indian diaspora also expressed joy at the encounter. 'I am very happy. I have grown up in India, and today I got an opportunity to meet PM Modi,' the person said — a detail that underscores the broad cross-section of the Indian community that turned out for the event.

Artists Perform Classical Indian Dance Forms

Artists from the Netherlands who performed at the event shared their own sense of privilege at presenting Indian culture before the Prime Minister. One performer said, 'We presented a beautiful Ram bhajan. We were very honoured to perform in front of PM Modi. It was blissful to see the twinkle in his eyes, and it was truly a blessing to perform for him.'

A second artist described the occasion as a rare opportunity: 'It was beautiful to present our classical art forms here in the Netherlands in front of PM Modi. It truly feels like a blessed moment.' A third performer called it a 'unique experience' and a great honour to perform before 'one of the world leaders.'

Earlier in the day, Modi shared glimpses of the welcome on social media platform X. 'Yesterday's welcome by the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands was remarkable. The welcome included a dance performance covering Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam. It also included a Garba performance,' he wrote. In a follow-up post, he added, 'Sharing some more glimpses from the welcome by the Indian community in the Netherlands.'

Bilateral Agenda and Key Meetings

Beyond the community engagement, the visit carries significant diplomatic weight. Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten and will also meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during his stay, which runs until 17 May. He is also expected to address the Indian community formally and engage with leading Dutch business leaders.

This marks Modi's second visit to the Netherlands, his first having taken place in 2017. The current trip comes at what officials describe as an important juncture in India-Netherlands bilateral relations, with expectations of deepened strategic and technological cooperation between the two nations.

Context: India's European Diplomatic Push

The Netherlands stop is part of a wider European tour aimed at strengthening India's strategic, economic, and technological partnerships across the continent. This comes amid growing global interest in India as a manufacturing and technology partner, and as New Delhi works to diversify its diplomatic and trade relationships in a shifting geopolitical landscape. The diaspora reception — spanning classical dance traditions from across India's regions — served as both a cultural statement and a soft-power signal of the depth of India's global community ties.

With bilateral talks and royal meetings still ahead, the full outcomes of Modi's Netherlands visit are expected to become clearer by 17 May.