PM Modi Arrives in the Netherlands; Expatriates Enthusiastic; Schedule Includes Meeting with the King and Various Events

Amsterdam (Netherlands): Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a tour of four European nations, arrived in the Netherlands late at night during the first leg of his journey. PM Modi is scheduled to meet with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. PM Modi received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Amsterdam. He also held a brief interaction with members of the Indian diaspora. What does PM Modi have in store for this visit? Which key events will he be attending?

Cultural Program Held to Welcome the PM
Additionally, upon arriving at his hotel in The Hague, the Prime Minister was seen enjoying a cultural program presented in his honor. The performance featured a troupe of male and female artists performing a traditional dance. Gautam, a member of the artistic troupe that performed during the Prime Minister’s visit, stated, “We performed a Garba dance to welcome Prime Minister Modi. We also had the opportunity to interact with him. We are all extremely happy and excited about his visit to the Netherlands.” Another artist, Reema, remarked, “We were all delighted to have the opportunity to perform before Prime Minister Modi… the entire experience was truly wonderful.”

Spiritual Performance in The Hague; PM Modi Expresses Appreciation
Prime Minister Modi also witnessed a spiritual performance during his stay in The Hague. He expressed his appreciation for the special presentation, which featured a blend of vocal music and instrumental accompaniment.

Citizens Play a Crucial Role in Bilateral Relations
Citizens, too, have played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. The Netherlands is home to a community of over 90,000 people of Indian origin and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Additionally, the country hosts a community of over 200,000 people of Surinamese-Hindustani descent. Currently, approximately 3,500 Indian students are pursuing their studies at Dutch universities.

Why is PM Modi’s Visit to the Netherlands So Significant?
Explaining the significance of Prime Minister Modi’s visit, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs noted that the Netherlands ranks as one of India’s largest trading partners and destinations within Europe. Bilateral trade amounted to US$ 27.8 billion in the financial year 2024-25. It is also the fourth-largest country in terms of investment in India, with a total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of US$ 55.6 billion.

India-Nordic Summit in Norway: PM to Arrive on May 18, Participate in Summit
During his European tour, the Prime Minister will also visit Norway. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in 43 years. There, he will hold discussions with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on trade, investment, the blue economy, green technology, and space cooperation. The Prime Minister will also address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit. On May 19, the third India-Nordic Summit will be held in Oslo, attended by the Prime Ministers of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Nordic countries have emerged as key partners for India in the fields of technology, innovation, digitalization, and renewable energy.

Chief Guest at European Roundtable in Sweden
Following his visit to the Netherlands, the Prime Minister will travel to Sweden, where he will discuss advancing the India-Sweden Innovation Partnership. The talks will place a special focus on AI, green transition, defense cooperation, climate action, and emerging technologies. PM Modi will also serve as the Chief Guest at the European Industry Roundtable, which will be attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Visit to Italy at the Conclusion of the Tour…
In the final leg of his tour of European nations, the Prime Minister will visit Italy from May 19 to 20. There, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders will discuss trade, investment, and global issues. The Prime Minister will also visit the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)—a United Nations agency—located in Rome. The Ministry of External Affairs noted that Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Meloni have held seven meetings since 2023.