Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in The Hague, Netherlands, terming India as a “land of opportunities” whose aspirations are “no longer limited to its borders”, and also shared a grim warning about the global situation, saying that the current era has emerged as a “decade of disasters” and consequences could prove costly for decades if the situation doesn’t improve.

Why PM Modi warned of disaster?

Referring to the COVID pandemic and global conflicts, PM Modi said that this decade is becoming a decade of challenges for the world. “If these situations are not changed rapidly, the achievements of the past many decades will be washed away,” he warned.

PM Modi, who arrived in the Netherlands on Friday on the second leg of his five-nation tour to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, defence and renewable energy, said India is dreaming big and its youth aspires to reach the sky.

“Today India is saying we don’t just want transformation, we want the best, we want the fastest. That is why when there are unlimited aspirations in India, the efforts are also becoming limitless,” the Prime Minister said in his over 40-minute speech, amid applause from the audience.

Delighted to interact with the Indian community in The Hague. Their warmth, achievements and strong bond with India continue to make us proud. https://t.co/DVKQo1pKXw

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2026

What PM Modi said about India’s growth story?

Modi said India is undergoing a “phase of unprecedented transformation”, and hosting major world events has become part of the country’s character.

“Today’s India is going through a phase of unprecedented transformation. You must have seen recently that India hosted the world’s largest and most successful AI Summit. Before that, India also successfully hosted the G20 Summit. And this was not a one-time event. This has now become the character of today’s India.”

The prime minister also hailed India’s start-up ecosystem, saying the country has the third-largest start-up network in the world.

“India’s aspirations today are no longer limited to its borders. India wants to host the Olympics, become a global manufacturing hub, emerge as a leader in green energy, and become the growth engine of the world,” the prime minister said.

Modi noted that India had only four unicorns in 2014 when he came to power, and today boasts around 125 active unicorns. “Today, our startups are doing remarkable work in AI, defence, and the space sector. This culture of research and innovation is becoming even more expansive.”

‘Tulip in Netherlands, Lotus in India’: PM’s jibe at opposition

Mentioning the recently-held assembly elections in several states and UTs, Modi said India’s aspiration-driven journey is also strengthening its democracy.

“This time, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry witnessed nearly 80–90 per cent voter turnout. Women’s participation also increased significantly, and this trend is visible across every state. Today, voters in India are enthusiastic. We feel proud that voting records are being broken every year,” he said.

The prime minister also took a veiled jibe at the opposition parties, asking the audience if the popular snack Jhalmuri has reached The Hague as well.

Underlining that the Netherlands is known for tulips, Modi added that India is known for the lotus. “Both the tulip and the lotus teach us that whether the roots are in water or in the earth, one gains both beauty and strength,” he said.

‘Cultures vanished, India endures’

PM Modi said India and the Netherlands can coordinate in the international arena and work on securing global projects.

He also said that many cultures have vanished over time. But India’s diverse culture still beats in the hearts of its people. “Generations have changed, countries have changed, environments have changed… but the family values have not changed,” the PM said.