'Happy to be in beautiful India' says Netherlands PM Mark Rutte in Hindi; 'Welcome', tweets Modi in Dutch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday welcomed his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte to India and said he looks forward to holding talks with him later in the day. Rutte's visit comes within a year of Modi's trip to the Netherlands in June last.

"India welcomes you Prime Minister Rutte. I look forward to our talks today," Modi tweeted in English and Dutch. Earlier, Rutte had tweeted in Hindi saying he is happy to be in beautiful India.

"India and the Netherlands have shared close relations for the past 70 years which have strengthened over the passage of time. Eager to meet @narendramodi," he wrote on Twitter.

Rutte arrived in Delhi today on a two-day visit to India. The two leaders later met at Hyderabad House in Delhi.

Rutte will also attend a CEO roundtable conference at the Hyderabad House. He will then sign press statements at the venue at about 02:30 pm.

Mark Rutte, will next address a public event organised by Carnegie India at Hotel Taj Diplomatic and also participate in Clean Air India, a startup event.

Lastly, he will participate in an agro event, before proceeding to Bengaluru.

Rutte is scheduled to meet Governor of Karnataka, Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala.

He is also scheduled to visit Shell Technology Centre and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru. 

Around 10 in the night on May 25, he will leave for the Netherlands.

(With agencies)