Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described India as a “land of opportunities”, saying the country is witnessing an unprecedented phase of transformation and that its aspirations are now extending far beyond its borders.

Addressing members of the Indian community in The Hague, Modi said India is aiming higher across sectors, while its youth are driven by big dreams and aspirations.

“It’s always a delight to interact with the Indian diaspora. So much love and enthusiasm… to tell you the truth, for a while I even forgot that I’m in the Netherlands. It feels just like some festival is going on somewhere in India,” he said.

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The Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora for its contribution to Dutch society and economy, saying every Indian feels proud of their achievements overseas.

“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,” Modi said during his over 40-minute address, drawing applause from the audience.

Stating that India is going through a period of rapid and unprecedented change, Modi pointed to the country’s successful hosting of major global events.

“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,” he said.

Highlighting India’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Prime Minister said the country now has the world’s third-largest start-up network.

“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,” he said.

Modi also thanked the people and government of the Netherlands on behalf of 140 crore Indians, while reiterating appreciation for the Indian community’s role in strengthening ties between the two countries.

”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.

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Recalling that in 2014, India had only four unicorns, Modi said India has nearly 125 active unicorns now. ”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,” he added.

He said that India’s aspiration-driven journey is also strengthening its democracy, as he mentioned the recently held assembly elections in multiple states.

”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.

Modi also took a 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.

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

Modi 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.

Referring to the COVID pandemic and global conflicts, 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.

Modi 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.

With inputs from agencies

First Published:
May 16, 2026, 17:06 IST

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