An evening to celebrate Dutch-Indian ties in Delhi

Dutch

Prime Minister

Mark Rutte

was on a two-day work visit to India, and on Thursday, an evening hosted in his honour, celebrated the bilateral relationship between India and the Netherlands. White lilies, scented candles and striking lights sketched the ambience at the

Netherlands

ambassador’s residence, when Prime Minister Rutte came for the dinner.

Mark Rutte

Alphonsus Stoelinga, Ambassador of the Netherlands

Spotted at the event were Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Carola Schouten, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen and Minister for Medical Care Bruno Bruins, among other

diplomats

and socialites.

Marten C van den Berg, Ambassador-designate, Embassy of the Netherlands

Sigrid Kaag, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Netherlands

PM Rutte ascended the stage with his well-prepared speech on a piece of paper, just to eventually ditch it and say everything “from the heart.” Amid cheers he continued, “Today is a fantastic day. Why? Because India is so open and engaging with lots of energy. What I experienced three years back, the last time I came here, was that you (India) are constantly interested to learn from other cultures, embrace them and take them in your own heart.”
The PM also extended his hand of cooperation saying, “If you have any issues, tell us. For example, you want to clean the holy Ganges or attain more growth, if you want no unemployment and double farmers’ income or you want 100 smart cities. Let us know. We will see what we have done in this regard in our country, and help you with full cooperation.”

Mark Rutte and RS Jaura

Pankaj M Munjal, Chairman, Hero Motors

Anil Khaitan, former MD, Maruti

While the PM and other ministers arrived on Thursday morning, Mayor of The Hague Pauline Krikke came a few days early to enjoy the “beautiful” India. What did she like about the country? Tuk-tuk rides and paranthas, she says. “I feel when you fly to a country, you go from an air conditioned room to an air conditioned working place. I came a few days early to see the beautiful India. A day after my arrival, I took a tuk-tuk ride and saw a few places. And the morning after that, I went around on a cycle in Old Delhi. I liked the high energy of the place. It’s very crowded, but lively. We had paranthas for breakfast there. It was a little bit spicy, but I could handle it. Now I think I know a little bit about India. Although it was a little warm, but the people here are warmer and amazing,” she told us.

VN Dalmia

Mehender Sripal, Deputy Defense Attaché, Embassy of the Netherlands

For Minister Bruins, this was a visit after over two decades. “It was 24 years ago that I came for the first time to India. I had my honeymoon in Delhi and Rajasthan. Back then, I only focused on my wife (laughs), but during this visit, I met a lot of colleagues and business partners. Although I haven’t seen much of Delhi, I went to one of the tombs and it is incredible to see that in those days they were able to build such tremendous buildings in India,” he said, adding, “Next year, on my 25th anniversary, I hope to come back with my wife. I think our anniversary is a good reason to visit this beautiful country again.”

“The prime minister’s visit is for the trade mission, and also for the relations between the two countries. We really believe in the potential of India,” said one of the PM’s advisors.

Anil Khaitan, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Carola Schouten, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the Netherlands

Nasim Zaidi

, former Chief Election Commissioner

Aashna Kanhai, Ambassdor of the

Republic of Suriname

Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen

Pauline Krikke, Mayor of The Hague

Bruno Bruins, Minister of Medical Care, the Netherlands

Hans de Boer, head of the business delegation that accompanied the Dutch PM

Dr Ryan Tewari, Chairman, Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade

Some of the guests clicked selfies with the Dutch Prime Minister