PM Modi discusses his govt’s reform initiatives with Dutch CEOs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and later addressed a meeting of Dutch CEOs during which he spoke about reform initiatives of Government of India over the last 3 years.

Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted, "PM: Govt`s reforms seek 2 enhance ease of doing biz & bring standards at par w global standards. Baglay said Prime Minister Modi was focusing on trade, technology and investment during the meeting with CEOs.

"Focusing on trade, technology and investment. PM @narendramodi and @MinPres interacted with top Dutch CEOs," he tweeted.

Stating that Netherlands is natural partner in economic development of India, PM Narendra Modi said that pension funds are especially welcome to India. He said Ondia offered opportunities for investment especially

Modi called on CEOs present at the meeting that India a land of opportunities and that the Indian government has undertaken reforms to enhance ease of doing business and enforceglobal standards.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has lauded India for its commitment to renewable energy and the Paris Climate Agreement. "I commend India for its commitment to renewable energy and to the Paris Climate Agreement," he said in a joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Catshuis.

The Dutch prime minister said the bonds between India and The Netherlands goes back to 1947 and these relations have become stronger over the years. Asserting that ties between India and Netherlands are very old, PM Modi said that the bilateral relations between both sides are very strong.

Describing Netherlands as a natural partner in the economic development of India, PM Modi said the trade and economic ties between both sides are increasing.

"Today world is inter dependent and inter connected therefore its absolutely natural that in our discussions that we will not only discuss bilateral issue but also international issues of importance," he said, adding that the both countries have intention to always make the bilateral ties deeper and closer.

The Minister President of Netherlands Mark Rutte gifted a bicycle to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and this may be the strangest gift Indian PM received since he took charge in May 2014.

On Tuesday, following delegation-level talks headed by PM Modi and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte, India and the Netherlands reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism and prevent radicalisation that could lead to violent extremism and called for a collective effort by the international community against this scourge.

"Expressing concern about the serious and grave threat posed by the spread of terrorism and violent extremism to both countries and the world, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to combat terrorism and prevent radicalisation that could lead to violent extremism and reiterated the need for a unified and collective effort by the international community to eliminate terrorism through a holistic approach," a joint communique stated.

It said both Modi and Rutte stressed that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever and agreed that there should be zero-tolerance on terrorism.

Like several other European nations, the Netherlands has also been a target of terrorism.

"They affirmed that the fight against terrorism should not only seek to disrupt and bring to justice terrorists, terror organisations and networks, but should also identify, hold accountable and take strong measures against all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism, provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, and falsely extol their virtues," the statement said.

PM also invited Dutch businesses, particularly its pension funds, to invest in India "where doing business is being rapidly eased" through a series of economic reforms.

PM returned to India early on Wednesday morning after his three-nation tour.