Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to the Netherlands has sparked a wave of online chatter, with several moments from his interaction with the Indian diaspora quickly gaining traction on social media. The visit is part of his four-nation Europe tour focused on strengthening cooperation across trade, technology, energy, and strategic sectors.
One particular clip from the community event in The Hague grabbed widespread attention after members of the Indian diaspora were heard chanting, ''Bacche maange maa kee godi, bengal maange narendra modi.'' Videos of the moment were widely circulated online, with users across platforms reacting to the energetic slogan raised during the gathering.
The chant, loosely translating to “Children seek their mother’s lap; Bengal seeks Narendra Modi,” resonated deeply with supporters of the Prime Minister. It also highlighted the strong political symbolism attached to West Bengal, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been making significant electoral inroads. The slogan drew comparisons to similar chants used during earlier political rallies in India, especially in the context of the upcoming 2024 general elections. Social media users, particularly from the Bengali diaspora, expressed excitement over the support the Prime Minister receives abroad.
One user identified as @PoliticalKida shared the video and captioned it: “'Bachche maange maa ki godi, Bengal maange Narendra Modi' Best video from PM Modi’s community programme in the Netherlands.” The post rapidly gained thousands of likes and retweets, amplifying the reach of the event beyond the immediate audience.
The jhalmuri Moment and Cultural Connect
Apart from the slogan, another segment from the event that went viral was PM Modi’s reference to jhalmuri during his speech. Jhalmuri, a popular Bengali street food made from puffed rice, spices, and vegetables, is a staple snack in the eastern Indian state. By mentioning jhalmuri, Modi tapped into a nostalgic cultural sentiment that resonated with the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands, many of whom hail from West Bengal or have familial ties to the region.
“Jhalmuri is not just a snack; it’s an emotion for Bengalis. Seeing Modi ji bring that up during his address in The Hague shows his attention to regional identities,” said one attendee in a video interview shared online. The remark drew laughter and applause from the crowd, further endearing the Prime Minister to the Bengali community abroad.
This cultural outreach is part of a broader strategy by the Modi government to connect with the Indian diaspora, which numbers over 32 million worldwide. During his foreign visits, Modi often references local customs, cuisine, and languages, creating a sense of belonging among expatriates. In the Netherlands, the Indian diaspora is approximately 150,000 strong, with a significant presence of professionals in the technology and healthcare sectors.
CEO Meetings and Economic Diplomacy
Earlier in the day, PM Modi participated in interactions with CEOs of major Dutch companies spanning sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, ports, trade, and technology. During the meeting, he encouraged businesses from the Netherlands to expand their presence in India, especially in areas including semiconductors, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital innovation, maritime services, and healthcare.
“We are continuously reducing compliance and increasing the ease of doing business. We have recently carried out next-generation reforms in taxation, labour code, and governance,” he told the business leaders. Modi highlighted India’s stable policies, vast market, and skilled workforce as attractive factors for foreign investment. The Netherlands is India’s third-largest trade partner in the European Union, with bilateral trade exceeding $17 billion in 2022-23.
Key outcomes of the CEO roundtable included discussions on joint ventures in green hydrogen, digital public infrastructure, and medical technology. Dutch companies such as Philips, Shell, and Unilever have a long-standing presence in India, and the meeting aimed to deepen these ties. Modi also invited Dutch startups to participate in India’s innovation ecosystem, citing initiatives like the Startup India program and the National Single Window System for business approvals.
Return of Chola Copper Plates: A Cultural Milestone
In another key development during the visit, the Netherlands formally returned 11th-century Chola dynasty copper plates to India in the presence of PM Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, marking a significant cultural milestone between the two nations. The copper plates, which date back to the reign of the Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 CE), contain inscriptions in Tamil that detail land grants and religious endowments.
Calling it a joyous moment for every Indian, PM Modi took to his official X handle and wrote, “Chola Copper Plates dating back to the 11th Century will be repatriated to India from the Netherlands. Took part in the ceremony for the same in the presence of Prime Minister Rob Jetten.” The plates were originally taken out of India during the colonial era and were later acquired by a museum in the Netherlands. Their return is part of a global movement to repatriate stolen or illegally exported cultural artifacts.
The Chola dynasty, which ruled from the 9th to the 13th centuries, was one of the most powerful and culturally rich empires in South India. The copper plates are considered invaluable for understanding the administrative, economic, and religious history of the period. Historians have welcomed the move, stating that artifacts like these not only preserve heritage but also strengthen cultural diplomacy between nations.
India has been actively pursuing the return of antiquities from abroad. In recent years, the country has successfully repatriated hundreds of sculptures, manuscripts, and other artifacts from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The Netherlands’ decision to return the Chola plates is seen as a gesture of goodwill and a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between the two democracies.
Strategic Importance of the Four-Nation Tour
PM Modi’s Netherlands visit is part of a broader European tour that also includes stops in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The four-nation tour is designed to strengthen ties with key EU nations on the eve of the G20 summit and ahead of India’s presidency of the Group of 20 in 2023. Each stop focuses on distinct pillars: technology and green energy in Germany, defense and space in France, trade and investment in the UK, and sustainability and cultural exchange in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands, as a gateway to Europe, holds strategic importance for India. It is a major investor in India’s infrastructure projects, including the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. The two countries also collaborate on water management, a critical area given India’s severe water challenges. Dutch expertise in flood control and sustainable agriculture is highly sought after, and several MoUs were signed during the visit to enhance cooperation in these fields.
Modi’s agenda also included a visit to the International Court of Justice and a meeting with the Dutch Royal Family, symbolizing the depth of diplomatic engagement. The community event at The Hague, where the chant and jhalmuri moment occurred, was organized by the Indian diaspora to welcome the Prime Minister and showcase their cultural ties. It was a high-energy gathering, with participants waving tricolors and performing traditional dances.
The viral nature of the chant underscores how social media has become a powerful tool for political messaging. Within hours, the clip was shared across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, with many users from West Bengal expressing their desire for the BJP to win the state in upcoming elections. The slogan also sparked debates on identity politics and the reach of Indian nationalism abroad.
Political analysts note that such chants, though seemingly spontaneous, are often orchestrated by grassroots organizers to create a narrative of widespread support. In the context of West Bengal, where the BJP has been challenging the ruling Trinamool Congress, the chant serves as a rallying cry for the party’s supporters within the diaspora. It also puts pressure on local BJP leaders to match the enthusiasm shown overseas.
The visit also saw Modi attending a business summit with Dutch CEOs, where he highlighted India’s potential as a manufacturing hub under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Several announcements were made regarding joint research in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The Netherlands is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, and India hopes to leverage this expertise to boost its own chip-making capabilities.
Additionally, the two sides agreed to cooperate on climate action, with India committing to increase its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. Dutch companies are already involved in offshore wind energy projects in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The partnership in green hydrogen, a key area of focus, could help both countries reduce carbon emissions and meet their Paris Agreement targets.
Overall, PM Modi’s Netherlands visit was a blend of cultural diplomacy, economic outreach, and historical restitution. The viral chant and the return of the Chola plates captured the imagination of the public, while the CEO meetings added substance to the bilateral relationship. As the Prime Minister continues his European tour, these moments will likely reinforce the message of India’s growing global influence and the unwavering support of its diaspora.
The event also included a display of Indian classical dance and music, reflecting the soft power projection that has become a hallmark of Modi’s foreign visits. Many in the diaspora expressed pride in seeing their culture celebrated in a foreign land. The chants of “Modi! Modi!” echoed through the hall as the Prime Minister concluded his speech, promising to work for the welfare of all Indians, regardless of where they live.
For the journalists and analysts covering the visit, the viral moments provided ample fodder for commentary. The slogan, in particular, became a trending topic on Twitter India, with keywords like “Bacche maange maa ki godi” and “Bengal Maange Modi” scoring thousands of mentions. Even opposition figures weighed in, with some criticizing the chant as divisive, while others dismissed it as a political gimmick.
Nevertheless, the visit succeeded in drawing attention to India’s diplomatic priorities and the Prime Minister’s personal rapport with the diaspora. As India aspires to become a developed nation by 2047, forging strong ties with countries like the Netherlands will be crucial for technology transfer, investment, and geopolitical alignment.
Source: MSN News