Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day, five-nation diplomatic tour from May 15 to 20, visiting the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The visit is aimed at strengthening India’s trade, investment, technology and strategic partnerships with Europe and the Gulf region amid a rapidly evolving global geopolitical landscape.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the tour is expected to deepen India’s engagement with Europe across a wide range of sectors, with particular emphasis on trade and investment following the recently concluded India–European Union Free Trade Agreement.
UAE: Energy Cooperation, Trade and Diaspora Welfare
The Prime Minister will begin his tour in the United Arab Emirates on May 15, where he will hold talks with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Discussions will focus on energy cooperation, regional and international developments, and ways to further advance the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is built on strong political, cultural, economic and people-to-people ties.
The visit will also seek to enhance trade and investment relations. The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and the seventh-largest source of cumulative foreign investment over the past 25 years. With more than 4.5 million Indians living in the UAE, the welfare of the Indian diaspora will also feature prominently in the discussions.
Netherlands: Expanding Strategic Cooperation
In the second leg of the visit, PM Modi will travel to the Netherlands from May 15 to 17 at the invitation of Prime Minister Rob Jetten. This will be his second visit to the country after his 2017 trip.
During the visit, he will meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jetten. Discussions are expected to cover defence, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors and the longstanding Strategic Partnership on Water.
The Netherlands remains one of India’s most important economic partners in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching $27.8 billion in 2024-25 and cumulative Dutch foreign direct investment totaling $55.6 billion.
Sweden: Innovation, AI and Green Transition
From the Netherlands, PM Modi will proceed to Sweden on May 17 and 18 at the invitation of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The two leaders will review bilateral relations and identify new opportunities to expand cooperation in green transition, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action and people-to-people exchanges. Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached $7.75 billion in 2025.
PM Modi and PM Kristersson will also jointly address the European Round Table for Industry alongside Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting India’s growing engagement with European business leaders.
Norway and the Third India-Nordic Summit
In the fourth leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit Norway from May 18 to 19. This will be his first visit to Norway and the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years.
In Oslo, he will meet King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. He will also address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit with the Norwegian Prime Minister.
Talks will focus on boosting trade and investment, leveraging the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, and expanding cooperation in clean and green technologies and the blue economy. Bilateral trade stood at approximately $2.73 billion in 2024, while Norway’s Government Pension Fund has invested nearly $28 billion in Indian capital markets.
On May 19, PM Modi will participate in the Third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo. The summit will bring together leaders from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. Discussions will focus on technology and innovation, renewable energy, sustainability, the blue economy, defence, space and Arctic cooperation.
Italy: Concluding the Tour
In the final leg, PM Modi will travel to Italy from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
During the visit, he will meet President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Meloni. Discussions will review progress under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, which outlines cooperation in trade, investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and cultural exchanges.
India-Italy bilateral trade reached $16.77 billion in 2025, while cumulative Italian investment in India stood at $3.66 billion.
Strengthening India’s Global Partnerships
The five-nation visit underscores India’s strategic focus on deepening ties with key partners in Europe and the Gulf. Through high-level meetings and business engagements, the tour is expected to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, energy, innovation and security, while reinforcing India’s broader economic and geopolitical partnerships.
