Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday begin a multi-nation diplomatic tour spanning the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, with New Delhi looking to strengthen trade, energy and technology partnerships across Europe and the Gulf region.
The visit comes at a time when India is expanding its economic footprint through new trade arrangements with Europe and deeper strategic ties with Gulf nations. With sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy, AI, defence manufacturing and resilient supply chains emerging as priority areas, the six-day outreach is being seen as an attempt to position India as a key global economic and strategic partner.
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PM Modi’s first stop is the United Arab Emirates, where he is scheduled to hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, discussions will centre around energy cooperation, investment, trade and regional developments.
Officials indicated that energy security will remain a major focus during the UAE visit, with two agreements linked to LPG and strategic petroleum reserves likely to be signed.
The MEA said the visit would further strengthen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, which is backed by strong economic, political and people-to-people ties.
The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner and among the top sources of foreign investment into the country. More than 4.5 million Indians live and work in the Emirates.
Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President SC Ralhan described the visit as significant for India’s economic engagement with both Europe and the Gulf region.
“The Prime Minister’s high-level engagements with the leadership of the UAE and major European nations underline India’s growing stature as a trusted economic partner and a key driver of global growth,” Ralhan said.
He added that sectors including engineering, pharmaceuticals, textiles, logistics, clean energy and digital trade are expected to benefit from the high-level engagements.
UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy also welcomed the visit and called PM Modi a “true treasure” for the UAE leadership and its people.
Speaking to ANI, she said bilateral ties between India and the UAE were expected to reach “new mountain tops” in areas such as trade and technology.
What is on PM Modi’s Europe agenda?
After the UAE leg, PM Modi will travel to the Netherlands from May 15 to 17, where he will hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and also meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.
Discussions in the Netherlands are expected to focus on semiconductors, water management, innovation, defence and green hydrogen.
In Sweden, PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The two leaders are also scheduled to jointly address the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Talks there are expected to revolve around artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, sustainability and resilient supply chains.
The Prime Minister will then head to Oslo to participate in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit. Leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are expected to attend the summit.
FIEO said India’s growing strategic convergence with Nordic countries could open new opportunities for startups, technology partnerships and sustainable growth.
Italy visit to conclude diplomatic outreach
In the final leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Italy for meetings with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.
India and Italy have stepped up cooperation in areas such as clean energy, defence and advanced technology in recent years.
FIEO noted that the Prime Minister’s Europe engagements assume added significance after the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
“The Prime Minister’s discussions with European leaders are expected to deepen cooperation in future-oriented sectors such as green hydrogen, semiconductors, AI, innovation, clean technologies, defence manufacturing, blue economy, resilient supply chains and sustainability,” Ralhan said.
The exporters’ body also highlighted that India’s bilateral trade with the countries included in the visit currently exceeds USD 70 billion collectively.
According to FIEO, the visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to trade, investments and industrial partnerships while improving market access for Indian exporters.
