India A Land Of Opportunities, Modi Tells Dutch CEOs
Modi invites Dutch companies to invest in India, says “India is a land of opportunities”.
Describing the Netherlands as India's "natural partner" in its economic development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited Dutch companies to invest in the country which he said is the "land of opportunities".
Focusing on trade, technology and investment, Modi interacted with chief executives of major Dutch companies after holding bilateral talks with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte. The two countries signed three MoUs in the fields of social security, water cooperation and cultural cooperation.
During the interaction, Modi said the reforms introduced by his government seek to enhance ease of doing business and bring standards at par with global standards.
The prime minister, who is on the final leg of his three-nation tour, said India has made 7,000 reforms for attracting FDI in various sectors including real estate and defence. He said India is a "land of opportunities" with over 7 percent growth rate and 1.25 billion population of which 800 million people are below 35 years.
Water is a prime sector for cooperation between the two countries, Modi said, referring to a joint water technology initiative, Dutch Indian Water Alliance for Leadership Initiative (DIWALI). Irrigation and water conservation are the areas where the two countries can boost cooperation, he added.
Seeking investments, he said pension funds are especially welcome to India.
During the bilateral talks, Modi and the Dutch PM reaffirmed their commitment to climate change accord and strengthen cooperation in developing renewable energy.
Modi thanked the key European nation for backing India's Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) membership. "Your support helped India in getting the membership of the MTCR," he said.
India joined the MTCR as a full member last year. MTCR membership enables India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhances its joint ventures with Russia.
Modi added that Netherlands is the fifth largest investment partner globally and in the last three years it has emerged as the 3rd largest source of FDI for the country.
In the joint address, Rutte said India's emergence as a global power is a "welcome development from both political and economic point of views." He commended India for its commitment to renewal energy and to the Paris climate agreement and praised Modi for announcing major sustainable initiatives like 'Clean India' and 'Make in India'.
India is now a global economic power. It is world’s second biggest economy and Indian market has a lot of potential. We have a plenty to offer to India too.Mark Rutte Prime Minister, Netherlands
He said Europe is India's biggest trading partner and 20 percent of India's export to Europe enters through the Netherlands. "So, for India, we are an entry (point) to Europe," he said.
The Dutch premier said the ties is only expected to grow in coming years. "Today we are giving fresh impetus to ties by easing the flow of capital in both directions. I believe this is one of the many ways to boost ties in the next 70 years and beyond," he said.
This year, the two countries are celebrating 70 years of the establishment of Indo-Dutch diplomatic relations.