**Executive Summary**
On May 16, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at a community reception in The Hague, Netherlands. The address focused on strengthening bilateral ties through technology, trade, and cultural heritage, while highlighting India's "Viksit Bharat by 2047" objective. A key policy update mentioned is the liberalization of OCI eligibility for the Surinami-Hindustani community from the 4th to the 6th generation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bilateral Economic and Strategic Cooperation**
* The Netherlands is identified as one of India's foremost investment partners and largest export destinations in Europe.
* Bilateral cooperation is expanding specifically in technology, innovation, and digital systems.
* The upcoming India-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to unlock new economic opportunities for both regions.
* Sports linkages, particularly in Cricket and Hockey, are noted as vital contributors to people-to-people ties.
* **India’s National Development Goals**
* India aims to become a developed country (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
* Transformation is being driven by large-scale advancements in infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, and digital sectors.
* India is positioning itself as a contributor to global growth and prosperity while shaping its own future.
* **Role of the Indian Diaspora**
* The diaspora serves as a "living bridge" between India and the Netherlands.
* Indian professionals in the tech sector and students in Dutch universities are strengthening contemporary bilateral partnerships.
* The Surinami-Hindustani community, numbering approximately 200,000, is recognized for its efforts in preserving Indian cultural heritage.
* **Policy and Welfare Updates**
* The Government of India has liberalized OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) eligibility for the Surinami-Hindustani diaspora, extending it from the 4th generation to the 6th generation.
* The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of Indians living abroad.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Diaspora in the Netherlands**
**Impact**
They are recognized as essential cultural and economic ambassadors. The community receives renewed assurance of support and welfare from the Government of India.
**Action Required**
They are called upon to actively contribute to India's development (Viksit Bharat) by leveraging their professional experience and expertise gained in the Netherlands.
**Surinami-Hindustani Community**
**Impact**
A significant portion of this 200,000-strong community now qualifies for OCI status due to the eligibility expansion from the 4th to the 6th generation.
**Action Required**
Eligible members of the 5th and 6th generations may now apply for OCI cards to formalize their link with India.
**Indian Students and Professionals**
**Impact**
Their presence in innovation-driven fields and the technology sector is acknowledged as a cornerstone of the modern India-Netherlands partnership.
**Action Required**
Continued engagement in innovation-driven fields to further strengthen bilateral institutional and professional ties.
**Economic Stakeholders and Investors**
**Impact**
Businesses and investors stand to benefit from the expanding trade relationship and the potential finalization of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
**Action Required**
Monitor the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement to capitalize on emerging market opportunities.
Key Entities Referenced
Viksit Bharat by 2047: India's national vision and strategic roadmap to transform into a developed nation by the centenary of its independence.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement: A proposed bilateral trade pact between India and the European Union aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and unlocking new market opportunities.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) eligibility: Rules governing residency and rights for the Indian diaspora, recently liberalized for the Surinami-Hindustani community from the 4th to the 6th generation.
Netherlands: A key European trade and investment partner for India and the primary location of the Indian diaspora addressed by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister addresses the Indian Diaspora in
the Netherlands
Posted On: 16 MAY 2026 3:51PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended today an Indian community reception in The Hague. On
arrival, he was accorded a warm and spirited welcome by a large gathering of the Indian diaspora and
friends of India in the Netherlands.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the enthusiastic and colourful
reception. He praised the Indian diaspora for its contributions to the Dutch society and for serving as a
living bridge of friendship between India and the Netherlands. He also recalled the deep and enduring
historical ties of the Surinami-Hindustani community with India, and commended their efforts to preserve
and celebrate their rich cultural heritage across generations. Prime Minister highlighted that the large
number of Indian professionals in the technology sector and the growing number of Indian students in
Dutch universities, particularly in innovation-driven fields, were adding strength to contemporary
partnership between the two countries. He further noted that sports linkages, in particular Cricket and
Hockey, were contributing to new vibrancy to the close people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister underlined that bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands was steadily expanding, with
technology and innovation emerging as key focus areas. He underscored the robust and growing trade and
economic relationship between the two countries, noting that the Netherlands is among India's largest
export destinations in Europe and one of its foremost investment partners. He added that the India-EU
Free Trade Agreement would further unlock new opportunities for both sides.
Prime Minister highlighted the growth and progress happening in India with the objective to become a
developed country - Viksit Bharat by 2047. He noted the scale and pace of the ongoing transformation in
India through wide-ranging advancements across infrastructure, manufacturing, clean energy, and digital
systems. He emphasized that India was confidently shaping its own future, while contributing to global
growth and prosperity.
Prime Minister assured the community that the Government of India stood firmly behind every Indian
living abroad and remained committed to their welfare. He called upon them to actively contribute to the
Viksit Bharat journey by leveraging their experience in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is home to the largest number of Indian origin people in mainland Europe, including
around 200,000 members of the Surinami-Hindustani community. In this regard, he highlighted the
liberalisation in OCI eligibility for the Surinami-Hindustani diaspora from 4th generation to 6th
generation. The full address of Prime Minister may be seen here [Link].
***MJPS/SS/VJ
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