Amsterdam: Showcasing India’s rich cultural diversity on foreign soil, members of the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands accorded Prime Minister Narendra Modi a vibrant welcome featuring performances of Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Garba during the second leg of his five-nation diplomatic tour.
Sharing glimpses of the reception on X on Saturday, PM Modi described the welcome as “remarkable” and praised the Indian community for presenting a colourful display of India’s cultural heritage abroad. “Yesterday’s welcome by the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands was remarkable. The welcome included a dance performance covering Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam. It also included a Garba performance,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Later, PM Modi shared additional visuals from the event and said, “Sharing some more glimpses from the welcome by the Indian community in the Netherlands.”
The cultural programme highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between India and the Netherlands and reflected the active role played by the Indian-origin community in preserving and promoting Indian traditions overseas.
Yesterday’s welcome by the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands was remarkable. The welcome included a dance performance covering Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattam. It also included a Garba performance. pic.twitter.com/WCGJTgwD3z
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2026
Focus on trade, technology and bilateral cooperation
PM Modi arrived at Amsterdam Airport on Friday and was received by Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar, Adjutant-General and Chief of the Military Household of His Majesty the King; Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen; and India’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Kumar Tuhin, along with other senior officials of the Dutch government.
Soon after his arrival, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing strategic and economic importance of India-Netherlands relations, particularly in the context of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement. “Landed in Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands comes at a time when the India-EU Free Trade Agreement has given a major impetus to trade and investment linkages,” PM Modi said in a social media post. “It offers an opportunity to deepen relations in areas like semiconductors, water, clean energy and more,” he added. The Prime Minister said he would hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and also call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima during the visit. PM Modi is currently on a five-nation diplomatic tour from May 15 to 20. Prior to arriving in the Netherlands, he visited the United Arab Emirates during the first leg of the tour.
