Significant progress has been made towards Gujarat's ambitious Kalpasar Project following a diplomatic visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Netherlands. During his visit, PM Modi, alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, inspected the Netherlands' renowned Afsluitdijk water management structure. Impressed by the engineering, PM Modi noted that the technology used in the 32-kilometre barrier dam holds vital lessons for Gujarat, given the striking similarities between the Dutch structure and the proposed Kalpasar Project.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Sunday conferred with Sweden's Royal Order of Polar Star, the highest honour awarded to a Head of Government by the Scandinavian nation.

This is Prime Minister Modi's 31st international honour.

The award is the highest distinction that can be given to a Head of Government.

The Royal Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748 and is intended to recognise personal endeavours for Sweden or for Swedish interests, particularly within public activities, as well as the successful performance of public tasks and duties, according to the official website.

Modi arrived in Sweden on Sunday for a two-day visit. He was received by his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, at the Gothenburg Airport.

Jag är tacksam för statsminister Kristerssons fina gest att ta emot mig på Göteborgs flygplats. Ser fram emot att stärka vänskapen mellan Indien och Sverige under detta viktiga besök.@SwedishPM pic.twitter.com/lvRrKjo5NN

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 17, 2026

My Netherlands visit has added new momentum to India-Netherlands ties. From elevating our relationship to a Strategic Partnership to expanding cooperation in water resources, semiconductors, innovation, defence, sustainability and mobility, we have charted an ambitious roadmap… pic.twitter.com/Uwnq2bYeXa

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 17, 2026

Driven by shifting global geopolitics, India and the Netherlands elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and inked 17 agreements to boost cooperation in defence, critical minerals and other key sectors during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten.

In their meeting on Saturday evening, the two prime ministers expressed deep concern over the situation in Middle East, especially its serious implications for the region and beyond in view of disruptions caused to the global energy supplies and trade networks.

PM Modi and Jetten also called for freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while opposing any "restrictive" measures, and reaffirmed their support for ongoing initiatives in this regard, according to a joint statement.

(PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Netherlands underlined the importance of supporting the development of a strategic 'Green and Digital Sea Corridor' between the two countries as they deepen their engagements across all fronts, according to a Joint Statement released on the visit of PM Modi.

PM Modi and Dutch PM Jetten noted the recently renewed Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation and underscored the importance of continued collaboration towards a safe, secure and sustainable maritime sector, supporting the development of a strategic 'Green and Digital Sea Corridor' between India and the Netherlands, as outlined in the Letter of Intent signed in October 2025.

In this context, they agreed to further deepen and broaden their partnership in the areas of smart and sustainable development of ports and inland waterways, supply chain optimisation, and green ports and shipping.

As a next step, both Prime Ministers agreed to explore developing a comprehensive 'Strategic Roadmap on a Green and Digital Sea Corridor' which aims at working towards an environmentally sustainable, digitally integrated and economically efficient future-ready maritime corridor between India and the Netherlands.

(ANI)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Netherlands. The leaders discussed several issues during their meeting.

At the meeting with EAM Jaishankar, the Dutch Foreign Minister highlighted how India and the Netherlands are longstanding partners, connected by trade, innovation and strong people-to-people ties.

He noted that the new Strategic Partnership announced between the two countries stands as a historic milestone in the cooperation.

In a post on X, EAM said, "Delighted to meet FM Tom Berendsen @ministerBZ again. PM @narendramodi's visit gave us an opportunity to catch up on so many issues."

Delighted to meet FM Tom Berendsen @ministerBZ again. PM @narendramodi’s visit gave us an opportunity to catch up on so many issues.
🇮🇳 🇳🇱 https://t.co/IDNjbx7a9S

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 17, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE amid the geopolitical and economic uncertainty in the wake of the West Asia conflict has sent a strong signal of stability and growth opportunities for businesses operating across the India-UAE corridor, according to a report in Dubai-headquartered Gulf News.

The report cites Nikai Group chairman Paras Shahdadpuri as saying, "For the business community, this continued engagement between both nations sends a very positive message. It reinforces a shared vision for growth, innovation, and long-term collaboration across sectors such as trade, infrastructure, energy, and technology. The relationship between India and the UAE continues to deepen, creating meaningful opportunities for businesses, investors, and communities in both countries."

Zubin Karkaria, founder and CEO of VFS Global, said the visit highlights the strength of the India-UAE relationship during a period of changing global alignments. The agreements announced across defence cooperation, energy security and infrastructure development show how the relationship is expanding into broader strategic areas, he added.

"At a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and economic uncertainty, the agreements announced across defence cooperation, energy security and infrastructure development highlight how the partnership is evolving into a key pillar of regional and global stability," he said.

(IANS)

VIDEO | On the Netherlands returning set of 11th-century Chola-era copper plates to India, DMK’s TKS Elangovan says, "BJP does not accept Tamil culture, but when they find something significant, they say ‘yes, yes’ and then close the matter."
(Full video available on PTI Videos… pic.twitter.com/nvZDcr30MF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 17, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi donning the traditional Bodo scarf 'Aronai' at an official engagement in the Netherlands is a testament to the community's rich handloom heritage, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. 

He expressed gratitude to PM Modi for ushering in peace and progress in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of the state. 

PM Modi had worn the Aronai around his neck while addressing the Indian diaspora in The Hague. He had reached the Netherlands on Friday on a two-day visit as part of a four-nation trip to Europe.

Aronai reflects the pride and rich handloom heritage of Assam’s Bodo community.
Proud to see Adarniya @narendramodi Ji carrying it with grace on the global stage in the Netherlands. Grateful to our beloved PM for ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity across Bodoland. pic.twitter.com/gOsT6ucRZY

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 17, 2026

A historic moment for our bilateral ties: The India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership is official! 🇮🇳✨🇳🇱
Prime Minister @narendramodi and Prime Minister @MinPres have sealed a Strategic Partnership that redefines our cooperation for the decades to come.
In a turbulent world,… pic.twitter.com/AaceG1PVFL

— NL Embassy for India, Nepal and Bhutan🇮🇳🇳🇵🇧🇹 (@NLinIndia) May 17, 2026

In a strong pitch ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Norway, India's Ambassador Gloria Gangte outlined a clear mandate for the upcoming European tour, a direct invitation to Europe and the Nordic region to aggressively invest and participate in India's surging growth story.

Speaking to ANI, Ambassador Gangte emphasised that the visit aims to bridge the gap between India's market scale and the Nordic region's unparalleled technical expertise.

"It is really inviting Europe and the Nordic countries to participate in India's growth story," Ambassador Gangte stated. "There are a lot of opportunities and good collaborative platforms, especially in green technologies, sustainable energy, research and education, where these Nordic countries are extremely strong."

The Prime Minister's visit, scheduled for May 18-19, marks the first time an Indian premier has travelled to the Nordic nation in 43 years, signalling a major strategic pivot toward Northern Europe.

(ANI)

#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: On Netherlands returns 11th-century Chola Era Copper Plates to India, BJP spokesperson, CR Kesavan says, "... The successful repatriation of the 11th‑century Chola‑era copper plates to India firmly reiterates Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s… pic.twitter.com/OlZjFMkWyD

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2026

VIDEO | The Hague, Netherlands: Randstad CEO Sander Van'T Noordende says, "The last 10 years have seen a notable accelaration in everything. In infrastructure, in technology, in consumer goods, also in the labour market and employment. India is absolutely on the right track as a… pic.twitter.com/VZaDjmQtyl

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 17, 2026

In a major cultural restitution move, the Netherlands formally returned a set of 11th-century Chola-era copper plates to India on Saturday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the European country. 

A joyous moment for every Indian!
Chola Copper Plates dating back to the 11th Century will be repatriated to India from the Netherlands. Took part in the ceremony for the same in the presence of Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The Chola Copper Plates are a set of 21 large plates… pic.twitter.com/Zwu0QFc2ZJ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2026

India and the Netherlands have unveiled an ambitious roadmap to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, innovation, science and higher education, with semiconductors emerging as the centerpiece of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The agreement seeks to strengthen trusted and resilient semiconductor supply chains by expanding collaboration between industries, research institutions and governments in both nations. Building on the Memorandum of Understanding on semiconductors and related emerging technologies, India and the Netherlands will jointly explore opportunities in artificial intelligence, photonics, quantum technologies and cybersecurity while promoting technology value-chain partnerships.

A major focus of the partnership is talent and ecosystem development in the semiconductor sector. The two countries will connect the Dutch Semicon Competence Centre with the India Semiconductor Mission to support startups, SMEs, scale-ups and suppliers through technology sharing, skill development and innovation-led cooperation.

(IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invited Dutch companies to design, innovate and manufacture in India, saying the country offers immense opportunities.

Prime Minister Modi, accompanied by his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, also witnessed the signing of an agreement between Tata Electronics and ASML to support the semiconductor Fab in Dholera, Gujarat.

India and the Netherlands on Saturday decided to elevate their relationship to the strategic partnership level following extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten amid shifting global geopolitics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid a call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague.

According to a PMO release, the leaders exchanged views on strengthening the India-Netherlands relationship, including through deepening of people-to-people ties. The Netherlands King and Queen hosted dinner in hounor of Prime Minister.

Prime Minister also recalled with appreciation the State Visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to India in 2019, "which had played an important role in fostering mutual goodwill and imparting fresh momentum to the bilateral relationship".

The leaders expressed satisfaction on the ongoing bilateral initiatives in the fields of education, innovation, semi-conductor, digital, water and green partnerships.

-ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invited Dutch companies to design, innovate and manufacture in India, saying the country offers immense opportunities.

In his remarks at the CEO Roundtable, the PM Modi said today's India is a symbol of scale and stability, and no country in the world can match its speed in infrastructure, clean energy, and connectivity.

This is why India is contributing 17% to global growth, the Prime Minister said.

Emphasising that the government has transformed India's economic DNA through continuous reforms, PM Modi said that to give policy predictability to the private sector and increase opportunities for them, the country has opened up space, mining, and nuclear energy for the private sector.

"We are continuously reducing compliance and increasing the ease of doing business. We have recently carried out next-generation reforms in taxation, labour code, and governance," he informed the business leaders at the roundtable.

-PTI 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India is dreaming big and the country's youth now aspire to propel the nation forward in emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductors.

Addressing the Indian diaspora at an event in The Hague, PM Modi said today's India is going through a phase of unprecedented transformation and has emerged as a global leader in technology, innovation and digitalisation.

"Today, India is dreaming big. India's youth aspires to propel the country forward in the fields of AI and semiconductors," the Prime Minister stated.

"India is home to the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. Our startups are doing remarkable work in AI, defence and space sector," PM Modi explained.

He said India recently hosted the world's largest and most successful AI Summit, following the successful hosting of the G20 Summit, adding that such achievements are no longer isolated events but have become the defining character of modern India.

The Prime Minister highlighted that India has carried out the world's largest unique identification programme and also implemented the world's biggest financial inclusion initiative.

"The scale and speed of digitalisation in the country are unprecedented, while India is also operating the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme," the Prime Minister stated.

-IANS

Lauding the Indian community's vibrancy, enthusiasm and spirit of celebrating life which always remains alive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said while history has witnessed numerous civilizations being wiped out, India's diverse culture still beats in the hearts of its people today.

Addressing a huge gathering of the Indian diaspora during his visit to the Netherlands on Saturday, PM Modi described The Hague as a "living symbol of Indian friendship".

Beginning his address with chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", PM Modi said, "So much love and excitement that for a short while, I had forgotten that I was in the Netherlands. It feels as though a festival is taking place right here in India."

Referring to the significance of the Dutch city, he said, "The Hague is known as the 'City of Peace and Justice'; however, seeing the atmosphere here today, it seems that The Hague has become a living symbol of Indian friendship. This shows that even though the colour of the passport, address and time zone can change, no matter where the children of 'Maa Bharati' live, this vibrancy and excitement and the motivation to celebrate life will always remain with them."

The Prime Minister recalled his past visits to the Netherlands and reflected on the emotional connection shared by Indians settled there.

(IANS)

#WATCH | Netherlands: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "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… pic.twitter.com/VmJLajROc9

— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2026

#WATCH | Netherlands: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "The world is dealing with new challenges. First Corona, then war and today's energy crisis. This decade is becoming full of challenges. If the situations are not changed rapidly, the achievements of last multiple decades… pic.twitter.com/z66QypsBlN

— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2026

#WATCH | Netherlands: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "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… pic.twitter.com/vBnRh582zJ

— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2026

PM Narendra Modi says India and the Netherlands can coordinate in the global arena and work on securing global projects.

(PTI)