‘Namaste Bharat’: Netherlands PM Mark Rutte tweets in Hindi, PM Modi responds in Dutch

नमस्ते भारत! मैं आपके सुंदर और जीवंत देश में आकर बहुत खुश हूं। अपनी यात्रा और प्रधानमंत्री @narendramodi से भेंट को लेकर उत्साहित हूं।

— Minister-president (@MinPres) June 5, 2015

Arrived in India, looking forward to meet you @narendramodi @pmoindia. Some great pictures of #NLIndia friendship. pic.twitter.com/XWuLrmzw7k

— Minister-president (@MinPres) June 5, 2015

In response, PM Modi, who makes it a point to tweet in other languages especially on his foreign tours, wrote on the popular micro-blogging platform welcoming PM Rutte to India and wishing for stronger relations between the two countries.

Welkom in India @MinPres! Uw bezoek legt de basis voor nog sterkere relaties tussen #NLIndia. Ik kijk uit naar onze ontmoeting.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2015

Rutte, also pledged his support to PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The Netherlands and India have strong trade relations. #MakeInIndia is beneficial for both nations. #NLIndia pic.twitter.com/SIKNgx6niG

— Minister-president (@MinPres) June 5, 2015

Rutte, who had earlier posted a video on Twitter talking about the many opportunities awaiting him in India, is expected to pay a visit at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai in remembrance of the 26/11 attacks. He will also be meeting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Rutte is accompanied by two of his ministers and a large trade delegation.

The Netherlands is India’s fourth largest trading partner within the EU and it belongs to the top five largest investors in India. The trade volume between India and the Netherlands has increased over the last couple of years to almost 6 billion Euros.

(With IANS inputs)