NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands to actively join India's mission of becoming a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, describing them as a powerful bridge between the two countries. Addressing an enthusiastic gathering of the Indian community in The Hague, PM Modi received a warm welcome filled with repeated chants of "Modi! Modi!" on which he remarked, "Seeing such love and energy, I momentarily forgot I was in the Netherlands. It felt like a grand Indian festival".

In his address, PM Modi spotlighted India's remarkable transformation in the last 12 years. He highlighted how the country has emerged as the fastest-growing major economy, with massive advancements in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and space technology. "India today offers opportunities that are both technology-driven and humanity-driven. It is becoming as modern as it is deeply rooted in its ancient heritage," he said. 

The Prime Minister urged the diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral villages and contribute their skills, knowledge, and resources to the nation's progress. He encouraged them to act as ambassadors of Indian culture while also serving as catalysts for development back home. "Passports and time zones may change, but our Indianness remains unchanged," Modi emphasised with passion. He appealed to professionals, entrepreneurs, and students in the audience to invest in startups, education, healthcare, and skill development initiatives in India.

Cautioning against global uncertainties, the PM noted that the current decade has been shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing wars, and an emerging energy crisis. "If these challenges are not addressed urgently, millions could slip back into poverty," he warned. In contrast, he positioned India as a pillar of stability and rapid growth — a country that has successfully lifted over 250 million people out of poverty in the last decade and is now focusing on inclusive development through schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and Digital India.

In his 40-minute address, Modi presented a bold vision of a confident, aspirational India where the youth are reaching for the skies in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to climate action and sports. He stressed that the diaspora's active participation would multiply India's strength and bring mutual benefits for both India and the Netherlands. 

PM Modi also praised the Indian community's significant contributions to Dutch society in sectors such as IT, healthcare, engineering, and business. He described the Netherlands as India's "natural gateway" to Europe due to its strategic location, strong ports, and robust trade networks. 

The event marked a highlight of PM Modi's ongoing five-nation tour. During his visit to the Netherlands, India and the Dutch government elevated bilateral ties to a full Strategic Partnership. Several key agreements were signed in critical areas including semiconductors, green hydrogen and renewable energy, water management, agriculture technology, and defence cooperation. These pacts are expected to boost economic collaboration, create new job opportunities, and strengthen supply chain resilience between the two nations.

The Prime Minister’s interaction with the diaspora not only reinforced emotional and cultural bonds but also aimed to channel the vast potential of overseas Indians towards building a developed and self-reliant India by 2047.