Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 17 May 2025, shared highlights from an enthusiastic reception by the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands, posting multiple glimpses on social media platform X during his official two-day visit to the country. The warm welcome featured classical Indian dance forms and folk performances, reflecting the deep cultural roots of the Indian community in mainland Europe.

Cultural Welcome in The Hague

In his posts on X, Modi described the diaspora reception as 'remarkable,' noting that it featured performances spanning Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam, along with a Garba performance. 'Yesterday's welcome by the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands was remarkable,' he wrote, before sharing a second set of images from the event. The breadth of classical forms on display underscored the cultural diversity of the Indian community in the Netherlands, estimated at over 90,000 Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin, alongside more than 2,00,000 members of the Suriname Hindustani community.

Bilateral Agenda: Talks, Royals, and Business Leaders

Beyond the diaspora event, Modi's schedule on Saturday included bilateral talks with Netherlands Prime Minister Rob Jetten, as well as a meeting with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. He was also expected to address the Indian community directly and engage with leading Dutch business leaders during his stay, which runs until 17 May.

This is Modi's second visit to the Netherlands, his first having taken place in 2017. The gap of nearly eight years lends additional significance to the current trip, which comes at what officials describe as an important juncture in the bilateral relationship.

Strategic Dimensions of India-Netherlands Ties

Ahead of the visit, Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, outlined the expanding scope of the partnership. 'Our partnership has considerably deepened over the last few years across traditional sectors of trade, investment, and priority sectors of WAH — water, agriculture, and health — as well as people-to-people ties,' George said. He added that cooperation had further extended into 'strategic areas such as technology, innovation, defence, security, semiconductors, renewable energy, education, and the maritime domain.'

Notably, the Netherlands is home to approximately 3,500 Indian students currently enrolled at Dutch universities, adding an education dimension to the people-to-people relationship that both sides are keen to deepen.

Part of a Broader European Diplomatic Tour

Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday evening as part of a wider multi-nation diplomatic tour across Europe, aimed at strengthening India's strategic, economic, and technological partnerships on the continent. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced the arrival on X, writing: 'Goedeavond Nederland! PM @narendramodi has arrived in the Netherlands. The visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted India–Netherlands partnership and to engage with the largest Indian diaspora on mainland Europe.'

The visit is expected to consolidate the new strategic dimensions of the partnership and set the tone for deeper India-Europe engagement in the months ahead.