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PM Modi Calls Netherlands Gateway to Europe for Indian Businesses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Netherlands as a "natural gateway" for Indian businesses entering Europe during his visit. He highlighted growing cooperation in energy security, water management, and green hydrogen. Modi said the India-EU trade agreement would deepen ties and benefit the Indian diaspora in Europe. The visit is part of his five-nation tour, focusing on strategic partnerships across multiple sectors.

Key Points: Netherlands: Gateway to Europe for Indian Businesses

  • Modi calls Netherlands "natural gateway" for Indian businesses
  • India-EU trade deal to boost bilateral ties
  • Cooperation in energy, water, green hydrogen highlighted
  • Indian diaspora seen as bridge between India and Europe
2 min read

PM Modi calls Netherlands 'gateway to Europe' for Indian businesses amid India-EU trade push

PM Modi says Netherlands is a natural gateway for Indian businesses entering Europe, highlighting cooperation on energy, water, and green hydrogen.

"For Indian businesses, the Netherlands will become a natural gateway to enter Europe. - PM Narendra Modi"

The Hague, May 16

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the Netherlands as a "natural gateway" for Indian businesses entering Europe, saying the historic India-European Union trade agreement would further strengthen ties between the two countries.

Addressing the Indian diaspora during his visit to the Netherlands, Modi highlighted growing cooperation between the two countries in areas ranging from energy security and water management to green hydrogen.

"From energy security to water security, the Netherlands and India are working together across several key areas. Our cooperation in green hydrogen is especially important," Modi said during the address.

The Prime Minister said the India-EU trade agreement would deepen bilateral partnership and create new opportunities for businesses and the Indian community living in Europe.

"The historic trade agreement between India and the European Union will further strengthen the partnership between India and the Netherlands, and all of you [Indian diaspora in the Netherlands] will also benefit from it," he said.

Highlighting the Netherlands' strategic importance for Indian businesses, Modi said the country could serve as a key entry point for companies looking to expand across Europe.

"For Indian businesses, the Netherlands will become a natural gateway to enter Europe," the Prime Minister said.

Modi also underlined the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening business and economic ties between India and Europe.

"Our diaspora can serve as a trusted bridge. The diaspora understands both India's ambitions and Europe's standards," he said.

According to Modi, stronger India-Netherlands cooperation and the evolving India-EU economic partnership would also create greater opportunities for Indians living in Europe to access high-quality Indian products.

"This will also create greater opportunities for Indians based here to access high-quality products from India," he added.

The Prime Minister is in the Netherlands in the second leg of his five-nation visit.

This is PM Modi's second visit to the Netherlands after his previous visit in 2017. The bilateral engagement spans diverse sectors, including defence, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors and a strategic partnership on water.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As an Indian living in Amsterdam, I can confirm the excitement here. The Indian diaspora in Netherlands is over 200,000 strong, and many of us work in tech and logistics. Modi's emphasis on diaspora as a "trusted bridge" resonates with us. However, I wish he had also discussed the challenges we face with work permits and social security agreements between India and Netherlands. Practical issues matter too, not just grand visions.
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Vikram M
Water security and green hydrogen - these are exactly the kinds of collaborations India needs. Netherlands has centuries of expertise in water management, and India faces massive water stress in many states. But I hope this partnership also focuses on technology transfer to Indian farmers. We can't just import solutions; we need to adapt them to Indian conditions. The leadership on this issue is commendable though. 🇮🇳
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Priya S
"Gateway to Europe" is an interesting framing. Historically, the Dutch East India Company was the gateway FOR Europeans to India. Now the tables have turned. India's growing economic clout means we can choose our partners wisely. Netherlands is a natural ally - liberal, innovative, and strong in logistics and agriculture. I just hope our government also focuses on domestic manufacturing so that we export finished goods, not just raw materials or cheap labour. Make in India needs European markets.
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Nikhil C
Good diplomatic optics but I'm a bit skeptical. We've heard about "historic trade agreements" before - remember the RCEP that we walked out of? EU trade deals are notoriously complex because of agricultural subsidies and data privacy rules. The Netherlands isn't even the largest EU economy - Germany and France matter more. Smart move to build bridges, but let's not oversell it. The real work begins now with detailed negotiations on tariffs, services, and intellectual property.

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