NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a six-day tour to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy starting Friday, aimed at strengthening India’s bilateral relationships during a period of significant geopolitical changes.
Modi’s first stop will be the UAE, where he will meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations and discuss regional issues, including the conflict in West Asia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that the talks would cover energy cooperation and other bilateral matters. The UAE stands as India’s third-largest trading partner and seventh-largest source of cumulative investments over the last 25 years. With over 4.5 million Indians residing in the UAE, Modi’s visit will also address their welfare.
Following the UAE, Modi will travel to the Netherlands from May 15 to 17. This visit marks his second trip to the country after 2017. He is scheduled to meet with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The MEA noted the visit would focus on cementing partnerships across various sectors, including defense, security, innovation, green hydrogen, and semiconductors. The Netherlands represents one of India’s key trade partners in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $27.8 billion in 2024-25, alongside significant Dutch investments totaling $55.6 billion.
From the Netherlands, the Prime Minister will proceed to Sweden for a two-day visit from May 17 to 18, invited by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Modi had last attended the inaugural India-Nordic Summit in Sweden in 2018. The bilateral discussions are expected to cover areas such as green transition, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and defense, with trade between the two countries standing at $7.75 billion as of 2025. Modi and Kristersson will also participate in the European Round Table for Industry alongside Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
The fourth segment of Modi’s itinerary includes a visit to Norway from May 18 to 19, where he will engage in the third India-Nordic Summit and bilateral meetings with Norwegian leaders. This visit is notable as it will be the first by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years. Modi is expected to meet King Harald V and Queen Sonja, as well as Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The summit aims to bolster India-Norway relations, particularly in trade, investment, and green technologies, with bilateral trade estimated at around $2.73 billion for 2024.
The summit in Oslo, slated for May 19, will see participation from Modi, alongside leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden, and will focus on strategic cooperation in technology, innovation, and renewable energy.
Finally, Modi will visit Italy from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This visit follows his participation in the G7 Summit in June 2024. During his time in Italy, he will engage with President Sergio Mattarella and hold discussions with PM Meloni to advance the joint strategic action plan for 2025-2029, which outlines cooperation across various sectors. With bilateral trade reaching $16.77 billion in 2025, the agenda will likely center on investment, defense, clean energy, and innovation.
Through this tour, the Prime Minister aims to deepen India’s ties with Europe, particularly in light of the recent India-EU free trade agreement.
