Narendra Modi arrives in the Netherlands, thanks Mark Rutte for MTCR membership, FDI
As far as India-Netherlands bilateral ties are concerned, relations between the two countries go a long way, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Hague on Tuesday. Speaking in a joint address with Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in The Hague, Modi said that the Netherlands is a natural partner in India’s economic development and there is a convergence between two countries in terms of issues.
Modi added, “As far as bilateral investments are concerned, Netherlands is our fifth largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) and this is the seventieth year of diplomatic ties….”
Modi also thanked the Netherlands government for supporting India’s membership in Missile Technology Control Regime last year.
This year, India and the Netherlands are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties. Modi will interact with the Indian community in the Netherlands who form the second largest Indian diaspora in Europe. “The Indian diaspora here is a living link and bridge between the two countries,” Modi said. The Dutch prime minister, on the other hand, said that considering India is a global economic power now, the Netherlands has a lot to offer.
Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Tuesday on the third and final leg of his three-nation tour, after his high-profile US visit and meeting with President Donald Trump.
“Landed in Netherlands. This is a visit of great significance which will lead to closer ties with a valued friend,” Modi had tweeted on arrival.
Modi will hold an official meeting with Rutte at The Hague and review bilateral ties. The Indian prime minister will also hold a meeting with CEOs of Dutch companies and call on King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima.
“I would be exchanging views with Rutte on important global issues including counter-terrorism and climate change,” Modi had said in a pre-departure statement in New Delhi on 23 June.
Stating that ties formed the core of the bilateral relations, Modi had said that the Netherlands was India’s sixth largest trading partner in the European Union and the fifth largest investment partner globally.
“The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches our development needs,” he had said.
