India Undergoing Unprecedented Transformation, Aspirations No Longer Limited to Borders: PM Modi in The Hague

BuzzBytes Desk | The Hague | May 16
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described India as a “land of opportunities” undergoing an unprecedented transformation, saying the country’s aspirations are now extending far beyond its borders.
Addressing members of the Indian community in The Hague during the second leg of his five-nation tour, Modi said India is dreaming big and its youth are determined to achieve global leadership in multiple sectors.
“Today India is saying we don’t just want transformation, we want the best, we want the fastest. That is why when there are unlimited aspirations in India, the efforts are also becoming limitless,” the Prime Minister said during his over 40-minute address.
Modi said India is currently witnessing a phase of “unprecedented transformation” and cited the country’s successful hosting of major global events, including the AI Summit and the G20 Summit, as evidence of its growing international stature.
“This has now become the character of today’s India,” he said.
Highlighting India’s growing innovation ecosystem, Modi said the country now has the world’s third-largest startup network.
Recalling that India had only four unicorn startups in 2014, the Prime Minister said the country now has nearly 125 active unicorns working across sectors such as artificial intelligence, defence and space technology.
“Today our startups are doing remarkable work in AI, defence and the space sector. This culture of research and innovation is becoming even more expansive,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India’s ambitions now include hosting the Olympics, becoming a global manufacturing hub, emerging as a leader in green energy and serving as the growth engine of the global economy.
Speaking about Indian democracy, Modi referred to the recently held Assembly elections in several states and Union Territories, noting the high voter turnout and increased participation of women voters.
“This time West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry witnessed nearly 80 to 90 percent voter turnout. Women’s participation also increased significantly,” he said.
The Prime Minister also took a light-hearted dig at opposition parties by referring to the popular Bengali snack Jhalmuri and asking whether it had reached The Hague as well.
Drawing a symbolic comparison between India and the Netherlands, Modi said the Netherlands is known for tulips while 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 remarked.
The Prime Minister said India and the Netherlands can work together in the international arena and collaborate on global projects.
Modi also highlighted the resilience of Indian culture and family values, saying that despite generations changing and people moving across countries, India’s cultural roots continue to remain strong.
“Many cultures have vanished over time. But India’s diverse culture still beats in the hearts of its people,” he said.
Referring to global instability, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing international conflicts, Modi warned that the current decade is becoming a “decade of challenges” for the world.
“If these situations are not changed rapidly, the achievements of the past many decades will be washed away,” he cautioned.
Modi arrived in the Netherlands on Friday as part of his five-nation visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, technology, renewable energy and defence.