New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun a six-day diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy.
The visit is expected to strengthen India’s strategic partnerships at a time of rising geopolitical uncertainty triggered by the conflict in West Asia.
The tour comes against the backdrop of growing concerns over global energy supplies, trade disruptions, and economic instability following tensions involving Iran and the United States in the Gulf region.
Safeguarding energy security, expanding trade ties, and deepening cooperation in emerging technologies are expected to dominate discussions during the Prime Minister’s engagements with world leaders.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit is aimed at broadening India’s global partnerships across sectors, including defense, innovation, green energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and resilient supply chains.
UAE Visit to Focus on Energy and Trade
Modi’s first stop is the United Arab Emirates, where he will hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to advance the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership further.
The two leaders are expected to discuss the evolving situation in West Asia, particularly concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. The recent regional tensions have heightened fears over global energy flows and fuel prices.
India and the UAE are also expected to finalize key agreements related to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cooperation and strategic petroleum reserves. Bilateral trade and investment are likely to feature prominently in the talks as the UAE remains India’s third-largest trading partner and a major investment source.
Officials said the welfare of the Indian diaspora in the UAE, which numbers more than 4.5 million, will also be discussed during the visit.
PM @narendramodi has embarked on a 5-nation tour, including UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
Over the next six days, PM will engage with several world leaders across a wide-ranging agenda aimed at strengthening India’s global partnerships.
His first stop will be… pic.twitter.com/i6UiHrQ7Fq
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 15, 2026
Netherlands Visit to Deepen Strategic Cooperation
From the UAE, Modi will travel to the Netherlands for a three-day visit. During the trip, he is scheduled to meet King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The visit is expected to boost cooperation in areas such as defense, green hydrogen, semiconductors, water management, and innovation. The Netherlands is among India’s largest trading partners in Europe, with bilateral trade touching $27.8 billion in 2024-25.
Officials said the discussions will build on the growing momentum in India-Netherlands relations and explore new opportunities for investment and technology collaboration.
Sweden Talks to Highlight AI and Green Transition
Prime Minister Modi will then visit Sweden from May 17 to 18 at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The two leaders are expected to review bilateral relations and discuss cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transition, climate action, startups, defense, and emerging technologies. Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached $7.75 billion in 2025.
Modi and Kristersson are also scheduled to participate in the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Norway Visit Marks Diplomatic Milestone
In the fourth leg of the tour, Modi will travel to Norway to attend the third India-Nordic Summit and hold talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The visit carries diplomatic significance as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in more than four decades. Modi is also scheduled to meet King Harald V and Queen Sonja.
Discussions are expected to focus on clean energy, the blue economy, trade, and investment opportunities under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. Modi will also address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit alongside the Norwegian leadership.
The India-Nordic Summit in Oslo will bring together leaders from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden, further strengthening India’s engagement with the Nordic region.
As PM is enroute to Abu Dhabi, watch the highlights of close, strategic and wide-ranging India-UAE ties ⬇️
🇮🇳 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/5lppqNqyyZ
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 15, 2026
Italy Leg to Strengthen Strategic Partnership
The final stop of the Prime Minister’s tour will be Italy, where he will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.
The visit comes as India and Italy continue implementing their Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, aimed at expanding cooperation in defense, investment, clean energy, science, technology, and innovation.
India-Italy trade stood at $16.77 billion in 2025, reflecting growing economic engagement between the two countries.
Officials said the multi-nation tour underlines India’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience, secure energy partnerships, and expand strategic cooperation with key global partners at a time of increasing international uncertainty.
