New Delhi (India) May 16: PM Narendra Modi landed in the Netherlands late Friday night on the second leg of his five-nation tour of Europe, aimed at strengthening India's strategic partnerships in the fields of technology, trade, and green energy with crucial EU nations.
“Landed in Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when the India-E.U. Free Trade Agreement has given a major impetus to trade and investment linkages,” Modi said in a social media post.
Dutch Leaders Welcome PM Modi At 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 and India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Kumar Tuhin among others on his arrival at the airport.
The Prime Minister's visit to the European country, from May 15-17, is his second trip there after his 2017 visit and comes at what officials noted is an important juncture in India-Netherlands relations.
Modi Praises Democracy While Addressing Diaspora
Addressing the Indian community in The Hague, Netherlands, the PM said that India’s democracy is getting stronger day-by-day and development work is enabling large participation in voting.
He said that during the recently concluded elections, highest ever voter turnouts in multiple states, including Tamil Nadu, Bengal, and Assam, demonstrate that people are placing trust in the Modi government's developmental agenda and the government's work in the country. He also lauded the high number of women's participation in the elections.
MEA Highlights Warm Welcome By Indian Community
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said that it was very special that Indians living in the Netherlands showering their love and warmth upon PM Modi during his visit.
"PM Narendra Modi received a heartwarming welcome from the Indian community in the Netherlands upon his arrival yesterday. The warmth, energy and affection of the diaspora were truly special," he said on social media platform X.
Ties Expand In Technology And Defence
Both the countries' partnership has deepened in recent years beyond its traditional elements like trade and investment, and priority areas like water, agriculture, and health. MEA stated that the two nations' engagement now includes areas such as technology, defense, security, semiconductors, renewable energy, education and the maritime sector.