Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands, emphasizing India’s democratic strength, global role, and partnership with the host country. He commended the high voter turnout, particularly among women, in the recent Assembly elections in various Indian states and union territories.
PM Modi highlighted India’s unmatched scale of democratic participation, with over 90 crore registered voters and more Indians voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections than the total EU population. He described India as the “Mother of democracy” and stressed the country’s democratic culture as a source of collective pride.
Addressing global challenges, PM Modi expressed concerns about the multiple crises facing the world and emphasized the need for resilient supply chains. He mentioned the India-Netherlands collaboration on future-ready supply chains and the recently signed Free Trade Agreement with the EU to deepen economic and strategic cooperation.
Drawing a parallel between India and the Netherlands through their iconic flowers, PM Modi underscored the importance of nurturing partnerships for mutual growth. He also praised the sporting ties between the two nations, acknowledging the contributions of Indian-origin players in Dutch cricket and vice versa in Indian hockey.
PM Modi urged the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands to actively contribute to India’s development and economic progress, assuring that their investments would yield returns for the nation. He reflected on the significance of May 16 in his political journey, recalling the 2014 Lok Sabha election results and expressing gratitude for the continuous support he has received from the public.
