Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands, highlighting India’s rapid economic transformation, growing technology ambitions, and expanding strategic partnership with the European nation.

Addressing the gathering in The Hague, the PM said that India is dreaming big. "Today India is saying we don't just want transformation, we want the best, we want the fastest. That is why when there are unlimited aspirations in India, the efforts are also becoming limitless," he said in his over 40-minute speech, amid applause from the audience.

Speaking at a community reception, Modi said bilateral co-operation between India and the Netherlands was steadily expanding, with technology, innovation, trade and investment emerging as key pillars of the relationship.

The Prime Minister said the Netherlands remains among India’s largest export destinations in Europe and one of its major investment partners. He added that the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement could create fresh economic opportunities for both sides.

Modi praised the diaspora for strengthening ties between the two countries and contributing significantly to Dutch society and the economy.

“Seeing so much love and enthusiasm, I forgot for a moment that I am in the Netherlands, and it felt like I was attending a festival in India only... It seems like The Hague has become a living symbol of Indian friendship...” Modi said during the event.

He further said, “Whenever I had a conversation with the leadership of the Netherlands, they always praised the Indian diaspora... Every Indian is proud of your contribution to the society and economy of the Netherlands...”

Focus on diaspora ties and cultural roots

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the historical connection of the Surinami-Hindustani community with India and commended efforts by the diaspora to preserve Indian cultural traditions across generations.

“The history of humanity bears witness to the fact that many cultures disappeared over time. But India’s diverse culture still beats strongly in the hearts of its people. Generations changed, countries changed, surroundings changed, but family values and the sense of belonging never changed,” he said.

The Netherlands is home to the largest Indian-origin population in mainland Europe, including nearly 200,000 members of the Surinami-Hindustani community. Modi highlighted the government’s decision to liberalise Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) eligibility for the Surinami-Hindustani diaspora from the fourth generation to the sixth generation.

India’s economic transformation in focus

Pitching India as a fast-transforming economy, Modi said the country was making rapid strides in infrastructure, manufacturing, digital systems and clean energy as part of its vision to become a developed nation, or “Viksit Bharat”, by 2047.

"Today's India is going through a phase of unprecedented transformation," the prime minister said.

"You must have seen recently that India hosted the world's largest and most successful AI Summit. Before that, India also successfully hosted the G20 Summit. And this was not a one-time event. This has now become the character of today's India."

Modi praised India's start-up ecosystem, saying India has the third-largest start-up network in the world.

"India's aspirations today are no longer limited to its borders. India wants to host the Olympics, become a global manufacturing hub, emerge as a leader in green energy, and become the growth engine of the world," the prime minister said.

“Today, India is dreaming big... India's youth aspires to propel the country forward in the fields of AI and semiconductors... ” he said.

The Prime Minister also noted the growing role of Indian professionals in the Dutch technology sector and the increasing presence of Indian students in universities across the Netherlands, particularly in innovation-focussed disciplines.