Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic and culturally vibrant welcome from the Indian community during his visit to the Netherlands in May, with members of the diaspora describing their interaction with him as a “blessing” and one of the proudest moments of their lives. Arriving in Amsterdam as part of his multi-nation diplomatic tour across Europe, PM Modi said the visit comes at an important time for India’s relations with both the Netherlands and the European Union, particularly as trade and investment ties continue to gather momentum.

In a message posted on social media platform X after landing in Amsterdam, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing importance of cooperation in sectors such as semiconductors, water management, clean energy and emerging technologies. He will held discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima during the visit. The Ministry of External Affairs described the trip as an opportunity to further strengthen the multifaceted India–Netherlands partnership and engage with what is considered the largest Indian diaspora community on mainland Europe.

The warmth of the Indian community’s reception quickly became one of the defining images of the visit. Members of the diaspora gathered in large numbers and expressed pride in India’s growing global stature under PM Modi’s leadership. One member of the diaspora described the meeting as “the honour of our lives,” while another said PM Modi was not merely an Indian leader but a “world leader” who had worked tirelessly to make India stronger on the global stage. A member of the Indian Muslim community in the Netherlands also expressed happiness after meeting the Prime Minister, saying it was a deeply emotional moment to interact personally with a leader he had long followed while growing up in India.

The cultural segment of the welcome ceremony added colour and symbolism to the visit. Artistes from the Netherlands performed several Indian classical dance forms, including Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam, alongside energetic Garba performances that reflected the enduring vibrancy of Indian traditions abroad. PM Modi later shared glimpses of the celebrations on social media, calling the welcome by the Indian community “remarkable.” He specifically mentioned the range of Indian classical and folk performances presented during the event.

Performers who participated in the cultural showcase said it was a memorable and emotional experience to present Indian art forms before the Prime Minister in Europe. One artiste said presenting a Ram bhajan before PM Modi felt “blissful,” while another described the occasion as a “blessed moment” for Indian culture in the Netherlands.