Modi warns of “decade of crises”, urges global action during Hague address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the world risks sliding into poverty if COVID, war and energy shocks persist.

The Hague — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned that the world is entering a “decade of crises” and urged collective global action to prevent large-scale reversals in development, during an address to the Indian community in The Hague as part of his Netherlands visit.

A stark opening

Speaking before a packed community event in the early afternoon, Mr Modi said the sequence of shocks — the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent wars and now an energy crisis — has created conditions that could push millions back into poverty if not checked. According to officials, he used the phrase “decade of disasters” to underscore the scale of the challenge.

He delivered the warning roughly three hours after landing in the Netherlands late Friday night and ahead of scheduled bilateral meetings with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Dutch leaders. Local sources said the address lasted over 40 minutes and drew applause and chants from the diaspora.

Key policy points

Modi highlighted India's domestic achievements as part of his argument for resilience. He noted that India recorded more than 20 billion UPI transactions in a year and touted the country’s rapid startup growth, saying the nation now hosts over 200,000 startups and 125 unicorns. He also referred to advances in semiconductor manufacturing, saying work is underway on 12 plants, with two already producing chips.

“Chips will also be Made in India,” he said, according to an official readout, linking economic self-reliance to broader global stability.

Cultural outreach and community ties

The Prime Minister praised the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands as a “trusted bridge” for Indian businesses seeking entry into Europe and highlighted the Surinamese-Indian community’s role in preserving Indian culture. Around 200,000 people of Surinamese-Hindustani origin live in the Netherlands; many trace their roots to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Bengal and speak Sarnami, a language linked to Bhojpuri and Awadhi.

Ground reports from The Hague described a warm reception: Dutch musicians performed a rendition based on raga Durga, Indian classical instruments were played, and cultural dances such as Kathak and Garba featured in the programme. A young Dutch-Indian presented the Prime Minister with a painting of the Ram Temple, attendees said.

Historic restitution announced

In another notable development during the visit, the Dutch government returned the 11th-century Anaimangalam copper plates — known in the Netherlands as the Leiden Plates — to India. Officials said the plates, thought to date from Raja Raja Chola I’s reign, contain inscriptions about land and tax grants to a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam and weigh about 30 kg in total. The return was described in New Delhi as an important cultural moment in bilateral ties.

Diplomacy and next steps

Mr Modi held talks with Dutch officials upon arrival and is slated for further discussions with Prime Minister Dick Schoof, focusing on supply chains, green energy cooperation and joint international projects. In his speech he described the Netherlands as a “natural gateway” for Indian firms entering Europe and compared India–Netherlands ties to a lotus and a tulip — rooted differently but growing strong when supported.

Local authorities confirmed the Prime Minister’s schedule includes a state-level reception and meetings on trade and technology. Sources familiar with the delegation said climate-resilient infrastructure and semiconductor cooperation will be priorities in formal talks.

Impact and public relevance

Analysts say Modi’s emphasis on the risk of global impoverishment frames India’s development push as not just national but globally stabilising. “The pitch is two-fold: showcase India’s resilience and mobilise partners to prevent a global backslide,” said a policy analyst in New Delhi who declined to be named. For diaspora audiences, the visit reinforced cultural connections at a time of wider geopolitical uncertainty.

What to watch

Observers will be watching for joint statements after Modi’s meetings with Dutch leadership and for any new agreements on energy, semiconductors or cultural restitution beyond the copper plates. Back in India, officials will closely monitor whether the visit yields concrete trade and technology commitments that can be translated into on-ground projects.

Prime Minister flags pandemic, wars, energy crisis during Netherlands diaspora address; calls for unified action

Prime Minister Narendra Modi painted a stark picture of the world's escalating challenges during his visit to the Netherlands on Friday, warning that if current conditions persist, decades of economic progress could unravel, pushing vast populations into poverty.

Addressing the Indian community in The Hague, Modi said this decade has emerged as a defining period of global instability. The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by regional conflicts and an ongoing energy crisis, has created what he described as an unprecedented convergence of crises threatening worldwide prosperity.

"If the situation does not change, the progress made over many decades will be undone," Modi said, speaking before a gathering of Indian expatriates. "A very large section of the world's population could be pushed into a poverty trap."

Yet Modi tempered his warnings with optimism about India's economic trajectory. The country has emerged as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 200,000 active startups—a dramatic leap from just 500 ventures a decade ago.

The Prime Minister highlighted India's digital payment revolution as evidence of transformative growth. India processed more than 20 billion UPI transactions in the past year alone, accounting for over half of the globe's digital transactions. He also noted that 44 crore new startups were registered in 2025, signalling a shift in mindset among India's youth toward entrepreneurship.

"Startups have become a mindset," Modi said, adding that unicorn valuations have surged from 4 in 2014 to 125 today.Modi positioned the Netherlands as a strategic entry point for Indian businesses seeking to expand into Europe, praising the Indian diaspora for creating trusted bridges between the two nations.

He drew a symbolic parallel between Dutch tulips and Indian lotuses—both flowers requiring strong roots and proper nurturing to flourish. The metaphor, he suggested, reflected the deeper partnership between India and the Netherlands, rooted in shared values and mutual growth.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged sporting connections, noting that the Dutch cricket team's performance at the recent T20 World Cup held in India demonstrated the nations' collaborative spirit.

India is advancing rapidly in semiconductor manufacturing, with work underway on 12 plants. Production has already commenced at two facilities, Modi announced, signalling India's intent to design and manufacture chips domestically rather than remain dependent on imports.

He also referenced India's progress in artificial intelligence and associated technologies, positioning the country as an emerging hub in global tech innovation.

Modi reflected on the significance of May 16, 2014—the date when election results delivered India a stable government with an absolute majority following decades of coalition politics. The mandate, he said, continues to motivate his work.

Recent state elections underscored India's democratic vitality. Voter turnout reached 80–90% in some contests, with women's participation proving particularly robust. Modi characterised these figures as evidence that democratic institutions strengthen when people's aspirations are fulfilled.

"India's aspiration-driven journey is strengthening its democracy," he remarked.

The Prime Minister emphasised that despite global migration, Indian cultural identity remains deeply rooted among overseas communities. He sensed the presence of migrants from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam in The Hague, calling them ambassadors of India's faith, culture, and values.

Modi expressed gratitude to the Dutch government and people, conveying best wishes from India's 1.4 billion citizens. He noted that Dutch leadership has consistently praised the Indian diaspora's contributions to society and the economy.

During the visit, the Netherlands returned the 11th-century 'Anaimangalam Copper Plates' to India—a significant cultural moment. Known locally as the 'Leiden Plates,' the artefact dates to Raja Raja Chola I's reign (985–1014 CE).

The copper inscriptions, comprising 21 large and 3 small plates weighing approximately 30 kg, document land and tax grants to a Buddhist monastery in Nagapattinam. Historians regard the plates as crucial records of maritime trade, cultural exchange, and religious pluralism between South India and Southeast Asia during the medieval period.

Modi is scheduled to meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima before holding detailed discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.