Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a significant five-nation diplomatic tour, visiting the United Arab Emirates and several European nations from May 15 to May 20, 2026. This crucial visit aims to strengthen India's strategic engagement, foster trade and investment, enhance energy cooperation, and explore partnerships in emerging technologies with key global players.
UAE: Bolstering Energy & Trade Ties
The tour began with an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where Prime Minister Modi met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Discussions focused on deepening bilateral relations, particularly in energy cooperation, and reviewing progress under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The UAE remains India’s third-largest trade partner and its seventh-largest source of investment over the past 25 years. The welfare of the more than 4.5 million Indian expatriates residing in the Gulf nation was also a key agenda item.
Netherlands: Deepening Strategic Cooperation
From May 15 to 17, Prime Minister Modi traveled to the Netherlands at the invitation of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. This marks Modi’s second visit to the Netherlands since 2017. He met with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, alongside talks with Prime Minister Jetten. Bilateral discussions covered defense, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductor technology, and water cooperation. The Netherlands stands as one of India’s largest trade destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching $27.8 billion in 2024-25, and is India's fourth-largest investor with cumulative FDI of $55.6 billion.
Sweden & Nordic Summit: Innovation and Regional Dialogue
Sweden Focuses on AI & Green Transition
Prime Minister Modi visited Sweden from May 17 to 18, hosted by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The leaders reviewed bilateral ties and explored cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transition initiatives, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defense, climate action, and space. India-Sweden bilateral trade was reported at $7.75 billion in 2025. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Kristersson also jointly addressed the European Round Table for Industry.
Norway Marks Historic Visit & Economic Pacts
The tour continued to Norway from May 18 to 19, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. Prime Minister Modi met with King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and held bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Discussions centered on trade and investment, clean and green technology, blue economy cooperation, and the implementation of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. Bilateral trade between India and Norway reached approximately $2.73 billion in 2024.
3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo
On May 19, Oslo hosted the 3rd India-Nordic Summit. Prime Minister Modi joined his counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden. The summit focused on technology and innovation, renewable energy, sustainability, defense, blue economy, space cooperation, and Arctic engagement. India's bilateral trade with the Nordic countries collectively stood at $19 billion in 2024.
Italy: Concluding Tour with Strategic Action Plan Review
The final leg of the tour took Prime Minister Modi to Italy from May 19 to 20, at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Following his participation in the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024, this visit included meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni. Discussions aimed to review progress under the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, which encompasses trade, defense and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and people-to-people ties. India-Italy bilateral trade reached $16.77 billion in 2025.