Embassy of India

The Hague

PressRelease

January 26, 2020

Over 800 people gathered at the Indian Ambassador’s residence in Wassenaar, the Netherlands to celebrate the 71stRepublic Dayof India

Over 800people gathered at the residence of the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony, in Wassenaar, this morning (January 26) to celebrate 71stRepublic Day of India.

The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian flag by the Ambassador. The flag hoisting was followed by singing of the national anthem and reading out of President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the nation. Patriotic songs and Indian dances were performed and refreshments were provided to the guests.

The function witnessed the largest gathering of Indian diaspora, including members of the Surinam-Hindustani community and friends of India who came together to celebrate this important day.

The Netherlands has the largest population of overseas Indians on mainland Europe, majority belonging to the 200,000 strong Surinam-Hindustani communities whose ancestors were taken as indentured labor from India to Suriname 150 years ago.

2019 was a landmark year for India- Netherlands relations. It saw the first ever State Visit by their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to India. Their Majesties led a high-powered ministerial delegation which included Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Medical Care and Sport, and State Secretary for Economic Affairs & Climate Policy. A Technology Summit, with the Netherlands as the partner country was inaugurated in New Delhi during the State Visit. The Dutch Royals were also accompanied by the largest ever trade delegation comprising around 250 members from 140 companies/organizations. Other high level interactions in 2019, included visit of External Affairs Minister of India, to the Netherlands from 9-11 November 2019. Chief Ministers from two important states, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh also visited the Netherlands.

Economic and commercial relations provide strong bedrock to our bilateral ties. Over 200 Dutch companies are active in India and an equal number of Indian companies are operating in the Netherlands. Two way investments form an important part of the economic relations. The Netherlands has been amongst the top investors in India. In FY 2018-2019, it was the third largest with investments worth US$ 3.87 billion. Cumulative investments from the Netherlands to India in the period 2000 –2019 amount to about US$ 29.7 billion. Total investments by Indian companies in the Netherlands are estimated at over US$ 12 billion.