Indian diaspora hosts cultural welcome for PM Modi in Hague

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community in The Hague on Saturday during his visit to the Netherlands, the second leg of his five-nation tour aimed at strengthening India’s ties with European nations in key sectors such as technology, clean energy and innovation.

#WATCH | The Hague | Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives an enthusiastic welcome by the members of the Indian diaspora at the hotel he is staying at while on a visit to Netherlands.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Netherlands, on the second leg of his 5-nation visit.… pic.twitter.com/BF5cdilX7T

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2026

Members of the Indian diaspora greeted the Prime Minister with cultural and classical performances outside his hotel, with several artists expressing happiness over the opportunity to interact with him.An artist named Gautam, who participated in a Garba performance to welcome the Prime Minister, described the interaction as a memorable experience.“We performed Garba to welcome PM Modi. We interacted with him, and we are all very happy,” he said.Another artist, Reema, termed the occasion “amazing” and said the performers were delighted to welcome the Prime Minister.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnesses a cultural performance as he arrives at a hotel in The Hague, Netherlands

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Netherlands, on the second leg of his 5-nation visit.

(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/5YXJZZErrB

— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2026

Earlier, Modi landed at Amsterdam Airport, where he 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.In a post on social media platform X, Modi said his visit comes at a time when negotiations on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement have given fresh momentum to trade and investment relations.“This visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when the free trade agreement between India and the EU has given a major boost to trade and investment relations. It provides an opportunity to strengthen ties in areas such as semiconductors, water, clean energy and more,” the Prime Minister said.

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. It offers an opportunity to deepen relations in areas like semiconductors, water, clean energy and more.

Will be… pic.twitter.com/ikN6Cea6XC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2026

During the visit, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. He is also expected to address a community programme during the visit.India and the Netherlands have significantly expanded cooperation in recent years in areas such as renewable energy, water management, climate adaptation, agriculture, semiconductor manufacturing and digital technology. The Netherlands also remains one of the major sources of foreign direct investment into India and serves as a gateway for Indian businesses operating in Europe.
The visit comes as India and the European Union intensify efforts to conclude a long-pending free trade agreement aimed at improving market access, boosting investments and strengthening resilient supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.Before arriving in the Netherlands, Modi visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reaffirmed India’s support for the Gulf nation amid rising tensions in West Asia.During the meeting, the Prime Minister said India stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” with the UAE and strongly condemned attacks targeting the country. He also praised the UAE leadership for showing restraint and wisdom during a difficult regional situation and appreciated its continued support for the Indian community living there.