'Modi's guarantee' to 'jhalmuri' jibe, 5 quotes by the Indian PM at The Hague

Addressing the Indian community in The Hague on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is dreaming big amidst several hurdles that the world has witnessed in the past decade.

Terming India a "land of opportunities", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country is undergoing an unprecedented transformation and its aspirations are "no longer limited to its borders". He said that India's aspiration-driven journey is also strengthening its democracy, as he mentioned the recently held assembly elections in multiple states.

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.

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 family values have not changed," the PM said.

Here are five quotes from the Prime Minister's address in the European city:

• "Today, India is dreaming big... India's youth aspires to propel the country forward in the fields of AI and semiconductors... India is home to the world's third-largest startup ecosystem... Contemporary India is undergoing a phase of unprecedented transformation... The country is operating the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme."

• "Let me give you the example of the recent Assembly elections in Assam and Bengal... has jhalmuri reached here too? In Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, voter turnout this time was between 80 and 90 per cent. And even within that, women’s participation was higher. This trend is visible in every state. Today, voters in India are enthusiastic. More than 90 crore voters are registered in India. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, 64 crore people cast their votes. That means more Indians voted than the total population of the European Union. India values the democratic participation of every citizen, and as the Mother of Democracy, this is a matter of great pride for all of us."

• "I appeal to the Indian community in the Netherlands to contribute to India as much as possible, which will increase the country's potential and also give more returns on your investment. This is Modi's guarantee."

• "The world is dealing with new challenges. This decade is becoming full of challenges. If the situations are not changed rapidly, the achievements of the last multiple decades will be wasted and a huge section will suffer... In such times, India and the Netherlands are making endeavours to establish a future-ready supply chain."

• "India and the Netherlands are working together excellently in various sectors, including energy security and water security. The FTA between India and the EU will further strengthen the partnership between India and the Netherlands. The Netherlands will become a natural gateway for Indian businesses to enter Europe, and our Indian community can serve as a trusted bridge in this journey."