Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in The Hague on Saturday, emphasizing India's ambitious global aspirations. According to reports from The Times of India, Modi stated that 'aspirations in India are unlimited, so efforts are also becoming limitless', adding that 'India aspires to be world's growth engine'. The Prime Minister conveyed his greetings to the gathered community on behalf of the entire nation, saying 'I wish Netherlands on behalf of 140 crore Indians', drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. Modi outlined four key aspirations for India during his two-day visit to the Netherlands, stating that the country's ambitions are no longer confined to its borders. As reported by The Times of India, Modi also highlighted that 'India is dreaming big and its youth aspires to reach the sky', reinforcing the nation's determination to achieve global leadership.
Modi highlighted India's recent international successes, noting that India hosted the world's largest and most successful AI Summit and successfully hosted the G20 Summit. As reported by The Times of India, he stated that these achievements have become the character of today's India, representing not one-time events but a consistent pattern of global leadership. The Prime Minister also noted that India carried out the world's largest unique identification programme and undertaken the world's biggest financial inclusion initiative. Modi also recalled India's recent sporting achievements, stating 'India hosted the T20 World Cup, where the Netherlands delivered an impressive performance. While India emerged as world champions, the Netherlands gave them a tough fight'. He emphasized that 'Today's India is going through a phase of unprecedented transformation' and that these achievements demonstrate India's growing global influence.
According to reports from The Times of India, Modi highlighted India's unprecedented digital transformation, stating that the scale at which India is moving ahead with digitalisation is unprecedented. He noted that India is running the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme and India reached parts of the Moon where no one had reached before. The Prime Minister also pointed to India's remarkable technological transformation, stating that India was importing mobile phones 10 years back and now it is the second largest mobile phone maker. Modi highlighted India's AI revolution, recalling what he described as the 'most successful and biggest' AI Summit held in India earlier this year and stating that work on 12 semiconductor plants is currently underway, with production already begun at two of them. He emphasized that 'In other words, now even chips will be 'Designed in India' and 'Made in India'.
Modi highlighted India's infrastructural growth under his tenure, with a focus on green energy and manufacturing capabilities. As reported by The Times of India, he stated that 'The solar parks being built in India are among the largest in the world' and added that one of the aspirations of India is to become a global green power hub. According to the government, solar energy installed capacity has increased 53.28 times since PM Modi took over in 2014 – from 2.82 GW in March 2014 to 150.26 GW in March 2026. India recently climbed to the third position globally in installed renewable energy capacity, surpassing Brazil. Modi noted that India is taking steps towards becoming a major manufacturing hub, with the country's youth driving a modern technology and start-up ecosystem. He stated that 'Thanks to India's youth, who are doing remarkable work in AI, defence, and the space sector, our country is now the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world'.
As reported by The Times of India, Modi praised the Indian diaspora for preserving their cultural heritage while contributing meaningfully to Dutch society. He noted that 'Indians never forget their roots — this vibrancy always stays with Indians' and expressed pride in their contributions to the Netherlands. The Prime Minister observed that 'Indian culture is reaching Dutch families' and 'Indian community radio stations are popular here', demonstrating the soft power that Indians carry wherever they settle. He also paid tribute to the host city, stating 'The world knows Hague as the city of peace and justice' and adding that 'Hague has become a living sign of Indian friendship'. Modi also recalled the key role played by the Dutch in strengthening India's hockey capabilities, adding that sports should further deepen friendship between the two countries.
According to reports from The Times of India, the visit holds diplomatic significance as Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with his Dutch counterpart. The occasion also carried a charged political note, with Modi reminding the audience that 'Lok Sabha results came today back in 2014. Today marks 12 years of BJP winning elections' — a reference to May 16, 2014, when the Bharatiya Janata Party swept to a historic majority under his leadership. Modi's Netherlands visit is part of his wider multi-nation tour that also includes Sweden, Norway and Italy. The multi-nation tour is taking place amid growing momentum in India's economic engagement with Europe following the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, signed earlier this year. During the visit, Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.
