Independence Day celebrated in the Netherlands

Over 700 members from the Indian community gathered here to celebrate with patriotic fervour India's 73rd Independence Day.

It was the largest Independence Day gathering ever in the Netherlands and was organised for the third time at the "India House" - the Ambassador's residence - in Wassenaar, Indian embassy in The Hague said in a statement.

Deputy Mayor of Wassenaar Caroline Klaver-Bouman and former Deputy Mayor of the Hague Rabin Baldewsingh took part in the celebrations.

The celebrations began with the hoisting of the Indian flag by Ambassador Venu Rajamony, followed by singing of the National anthem and reading out President Ram Nath Kovind's address to the nation, the statement said.

This was followed by patriotic songs, a dance performance and delicious Indian snacks, it added.

India and the Netherlands have a long history of friendly bilateral relations going back to more than 400 years, encompassing many areas of shared interest.

The Netherlands was one of the first three countries that established diplomatic relations with independent India in 1947.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands visited India in May 2018 along with a high-level delegation comprising of four Cabinet Ministers and the Mayor of the Hague.

Prime Minister Modi and Rutte also met on December 1, 2018 on the sidelines of the G20 in Buenos Aires and held discussions on boosting economic and cultural ties between India and the Netherlands.

Dutch companies invested in India worth USD 3.8 billion in 2018-2019. The total investment from the Netherlands to India in the period April 2000 to March 2019 comes to around USD 27.3 billion cumulatively.