India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to kick off multi-nation visit

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, is set to begin a week-long diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates and several European nations, including Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Italy, officials announced.

The visit will commence in the UAE on Friday, where Modi is expected to meet President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Discussions are likely to focus on strengthening energy cooperation and expanding trade and investment ties, particularly amid ongoing global supply concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East. The UAE hosts a large Indian diaspora of around 4.5 million people, making it a key partner for India in the region.

Following the UAE visit, the Prime Minister will travel to the Netherlands from May 15 to 17, marking his second visit since 2017. Key areas of engagement include defence cooperation, semiconductor development, and strategic collaboration in water management. The Netherlands remains one of India’s major European investors, with bilateral trade reaching significant levels in recent years.

Modi will then visit Sweden on May 17 for high-level talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. During this segment of the tour, he is also expected to address the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on business and industrial cooperation.

On May 18, the Prime Minister will travel to Norway for the third India-Nordic Summit, marking the first visit by an Indian leader to the country in over four decades. The summit is expected to deepen engagement between India and Nordic nations on innovation, sustainability, and economic collaboration.

The final leg of the tour will take Modi to Italy from May 19 to 20, where both sides are expected to review progress under their Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029. The framework aims to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, clean energy, and emerging technologies.

India’s foreign ministry noted that the tour reflects strong momentum in India’s global partnerships, particularly across Europe. The visit also comes at a time when global energy disruptions and geopolitical tensions continue to influence India’s economic outlook, prompting renewed focus on secure supply chains and international cooperation.