NEW DELHI, May 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday embarked on an important six-day diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, with the visit aimed at strengthening India’s strategic, economic and technological partnerships during a period of growing global uncertainty.
The high-level foreign visit comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia, disruptions in global energy supply chains and increasing competition over emerging technologies and trade routes. Officials said the prime minister’s engagements with world leaders will focus on safeguarding India’s economic interests while expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi’s visit is designed to deepen India’s partnerships with key global allies and reinforce cooperation in energy, innovation, defence, green technology and investment.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the prime minister will hold extensive discussions with several global leaders over the next six days on a broad agenda covering regional and international developments, economic collaboration and strategic coordination.
UAE Visit To Prioritise Energy Security
The first stop of the tour is the UAE, where PM Modi is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The discussions are expected to focus heavily on the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and regional developments in West Asia, especially the ongoing tensions involving Iran and the United States.
India is particularly concerned about disruptions in energy supplies following Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most crucial oil transit routes through which nearly one-fifth of global petroleum shipments pass.
Officials indicated that India and the UAE are likely to finalise two major agreements related to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cooperation and strategic petroleum reserves. The agreements are expected to strengthen India’s long-term energy security amid volatile global fuel markets.
The leaders are also expected to discuss ways to further boost bilateral trade and investment ties.
The UAE remains India’s third-largest trading partner and a major investment source. More than 4.5 million Indians live and work in the Gulf nation, making the welfare of the Indian diaspora another key component of the discussions.
PM Modi’s stay in the UAE will last approximately four hours before he departs for Europe.
Netherlands Visit To Boost Innovation And Water Partnership
In the second phase of the trip, Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17.
During the visit, the prime minister is expected to meet King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The visit is aimed at expanding cooperation in innovation, water management, semiconductors, clean energy and defence collaboration.
India and the Netherlands have witnessed rapid growth in economic ties in recent years. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 27.8 billion during 2024-25, while the Netherlands has emerged as one of India’s leading European investors with cumulative investments exceeding USD 55 billion.
Officials said the visit will help accelerate cooperation in strategic sectors including green hydrogen, digital technology and advanced manufacturing.
The two sides are also expected to review ongoing collaboration under the Strategic Partnership on Water, which has become a significant pillar of bilateral engagement.
Sweden Talks To Focus On AI And Green Transition
From the Netherlands, Modi will travel to Sweden for a two-day visit beginning May 17 at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The visit follows Modi’s earlier trip to Sweden in 2018 during the first India-Nordic Summit.
India and Sweden are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transition technologies, startups, defence production, resilient supply chains and climate action.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025, reflecting growing economic engagement.
Officials said the two prime ministers will review the full spectrum of India-Sweden ties while identifying new opportunities in innovation-driven sectors.
An important highlight of the visit will be Modi’s participation in the European Round Table for Industry alongside Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The forum brings together leading European business leaders and is expected to focus on industrial collaboration, sustainable growth and future technologies.
Norway Visit Marks Historic Diplomatic Engagement
In the fourth leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Norway from May 18 to 19 to attend the third India-Nordic Summit and hold bilateral talks with Norwegian leaders.
The visit holds special significance as it marks Modi’s first trip to Norway and the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Nordic nation in more than four decades.
During the visit, Modi will meet King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
India and Norway are expected to strengthen collaboration in clean technology, maritime industries, renewable energy, fisheries and the blue economy.
The leaders will also discuss opportunities emerging from the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
The prime minister is additionally scheduled to address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit along with the Norwegian leadership.
India-Nordic Summit To Strengthen Regional Cooperation
The third India-Nordic Summit will take place in Oslo on May 19 with participation from leaders of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden.
The summit is expected to give a stronger strategic dimension to India’s engagement with Nordic countries, particularly in areas such as climate innovation, digital technology, renewable energy and Arctic cooperation.
The summit builds upon earlier India-Nordic meetings held in Stockholm in 2018 and Copenhagen in 2022.
Italy Visit To Conclude Diplomatic Tour
The final destination of the prime minister’s tour will be Italy, where Modi will visit from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The visit comes nearly two years after Modi travelled to Italy for the G7 Summit in 2024.
During the trip, Modi is scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella and hold extensive talks with PM Meloni.
The two sides are expected to review progress under the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, which outlines cooperation across multiple sectors including defence manufacturing, clean energy, scientific research, digital innovation and investment.
Bilateral trade between India and Italy reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, reflecting growing commercial engagement between the two nations.
Officials said the discussions in Italy are likely to focus on strengthening defence ties, enhancing industrial cooperation and promoting collaboration in science, technology and renewable energy sectors.
The multi-nation tour is being viewed as a significant diplomatic outreach by India aimed at securing economic partnerships, strengthening strategic alliances and positioning itself as a key player in an increasingly uncertain global order.