The Hague, May 16 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded the strong people-to-people ties between India and the Netherlands and referred to the "love and enthusiasm" at an Indian community event here and said It seems like The Hague "has become a living symbol of Indian friendship".

The Prime Minister, who addressed the gathering, referred to the popularity of tulips in the Netherlands and lotus in India.

"The Netherlands is known for tulips, just as India is known for the lotus. Both the tulip and the lotus teach us that whether the roots are in water or in the earth, one gains both beauty and strength," he said.

"Seeing so much love and enthusiasm, I forgot for a moment that I am in the Netherlands, and it felt like I was...