PM Modi addresses Indian diaspora in Netherlands, says "Passport cover cannot change our blood ties"

Amsterdam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Tuesday on the third and final leg of his three-nation tour, after his high profile US visit and meeting with President Donald Trump. "Landed in Netherlands. This is a visit of great significance which will lead to closer ties with a valued friend," Modi tweeted. Later in the day PM Modi addressed Indian diaspora and urged that "one should stick to their routes". He further added saying "A passport cover cannot change blood ties". PM also lauded the people of Netherlands for sticking to their values and roots. PM also said that "women are leading the way in India. Former US President Obama was pleasantly surprised when women officers gave him guard of honour. PM was received by Dutch PM Mark Rutte at Catshuis, in the Hague. He addressed the media on his arrival and thanked PM Rutte for his warm welcome. PM , while addressing the media said that his meeting with PM Mark Rutte would “not only focus on Netherlands-India ties, but also on International issues”. He further added that “Netherlands is India’s 3rd largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDA)". Modi is to hold an official meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at The Hague and review bilateral ties. This year, India and the Netherlands are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties. Modi will hold a meeting with CEOs of Dutch companies and call on King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima. He will also interact with the Indian community who form the second largest India diaspora in Europe. "I would be exchanging views with PM Rutte on important global issues including counter-terrorism and climate change," Modi said in a pre-departure statement in New Delhi on June 23. Stating that ties formed the core of the bilateral relations, he said that the Netherlands was India's sixth largest trading partner in the European Union and the fifth largest investment partner globally. "The Dutch expertise in areas such as water and waste management, agriculture and food processing, renewable energy and ports and shipping, matches our development needs," he said. (With agency inputs)