The Hague, Netherlands: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community in The Hague, Netherlands, during his 5-nation visit, where he highlighted India’s cultural unity and growing global presence.
PM Modi addresses diaspora in Netherlands
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi spoke about the enduring spirit of Indians living abroad. He said, “the colour of passports, address, or time zone could change, but not the Indianness.” He also thanked the community for the warm reception he received in the Netherlands.
The Prime Minister reflected on India’s long-standing cultural resilience, stating that while many civilisations over time have disappeared, India’s cultural diversity has remained intact and vibrant. He praised the diaspora for preserving and promoting Indian traditions abroad.
2014 mandate recalled
During the address, PM Modi referred to the 2014 general elections. He said, “Thirteen years back, on this day, something special happened in India. A strong and powerful government came to power, ending the rule of a feeble government. Since then, the country has evolved. Hence, this is a special day.”
Start-up ecosystem growth
The Prime Minister said the country is ambitious and forward-looking. He added that India “wants to dream big,” and emphasised its focus on strengthening start-ups, innovation, and manufacturing to contribute to global growth.
He highlighted India’s growing start-up ecosystem, saying the country now has the third-largest start-up network in the world. He noted that India had only around 500 start-ups a little over a decade ago, but the number has now risen to more than two lakh within 12 years.
Strengthening Indian democracy
PM Modi also said that Indian democracy is becoming stronger with time. He pointed to high voter turnout in several states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Assam, in the recent elections, saying it reflects people’s trust in the government’s development agenda. He further appreciated the increasing participation of women voters, calling it a positive sign for India’s democratic progress.