Narendra Modi arrives in Netherlands: In top agenda, PM to meet Mark Rutte, Queen Maxima, Indian diaspora

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Tuesday on the final leg of his three-nation tour during which he will hold talks with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte to strengthen bilateral ties. Modi tweeted after arriving in the Netherlands’ capital following a hectic US visit

Landed in the Netherlands. This is a visit of immense importance, which will lead to cementing ties with a valued friend.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 27, 2017

Modi was received at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam by Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders. Modi, during his day-long visit, will have an official meeting with Rutte and call on King Willem-Alexander and meet Queen Maxima.

This year, the two countries are celebrating 70 years of the establishment of Indo-Dutch diplomatic relations.

“I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Mark Rutte and reviewing our bilateral relations. I would be exchanging views with him on important global issues including counter-terrorism and climate change”, Modi had said before embarking on his three-nation tour that also took him to Portugal and the US. [caption id=“attachment_3750759” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Amsterdam on Tuesday. Twitter/@MEAIndia[/caption] Economic relations form the core of the bilateral relations and the Netherlands is India’s 6th largest trading partner in the European Union (EU) and fifth largest investment partner globally. India will also try to reach an agreement over the use of Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing etc. “The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches with our development needs”, the prime minister said. “India-Dutch economic engagement is a win-win proposition,” he said, adding he would be discussing with Rutte as to how the two sides should work to further harness the synergies. He would also be meeting with CEOs of major Dutch companies and encourage them to join the Indian growth story. Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in the country. “I look forward to engaging with the Indian community in the Netherlands”, he had said before leaving.