PM Modi receives warm welcome from Indian community in The Hague
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian community in The Hague on Saturday after arriving in the Netherlands on the second leg of his five-nation tour.
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, said the interaction with him was 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, described the occasion as “amazing” and said the performers were delighted to welcome the Prime Minister.
Earlier, PM 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 X, the Prime Minister said his visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when negotiations on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement have provided fresh momentum to trade and investment ties.
He said the visit would offer an opportunity to deepen cooperation in sectors such as semiconductors, water management, clean energy and innovation.
PM Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and will also call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
The Prime Minister is also expected to address a community programme during his visit.
Before arriving in the Netherlands, PM 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 growing 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 demonstrating restraint and wisdom during a challenging regional situation and appreciated its continued support to the Indian community living in the Gulf nation.
(DD News)
