The Netherlands hosts Europe's second largest Indian-origin population after the UK

Background

According to the Indian Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands has the second largest population of people of Indian origin in Europe, next only to the UK, with about 240,000 members of the Indian Diaspora. This includes the Hindustani-Surinami community, whose forebears left India nearly 150 years ago and which is wholly integrated into Dutch society while keeping deep cultural links with India. The community has sent two Members of Parliament, Daulatram Ramlal and Tanja Jadnansing, to the Dutch Parliament. Statues of Gandhiji stand in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Zoetermeer, and Gandhi Jayanthi is a major event. The Netherlands India Association (NIA) and the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT) are among the organisations linking the two countries.