Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to depart for a high-stakes, multi-nation diplomatic tour on May 15. The six-day tour which will go on till May 20 will span across the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, and is intended to further strengthen India's trade, investment, and strategic footprints across the Gulf and Europe, according to an official announcement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Amid rising global instability and energy concerns linked to the Middle East crisis, PM Modi's visit will focus on strengthening cooperation in energy security, trade, defense, green technology, innovation, and strategic partnerships, alongside participation in the India-Nordic Summit in Norway.
Strategic Gulf Foundations
The tour begins on May 15 in the UAE. PM Modi will meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions will prioritise energy cooperation and the welfare of the 4.5 million-strong Indian community. The UAE remains India's third-largest trading partner and a vital source of long-term investment.
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European Tech and Innovation
From May 15 to 17, the Prime Minister will visit Netherlands to meet King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Rob Jetten. This visit focuses on critical sectors: semiconductors, green hydrogen, and the Strategic Partnership on Water. With bilateral trade at $27.8 billion, Netherlands stands as one of India's premier European trade destinations.
The tour then moves to Sweden on May 17-18, where Modi and PM Ulf Kristersson will join European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to address the European Round Table for Industry, focusing on AI, resilient supply chains, green transition, space, and people-to-people ties.
Nordic Outreach and the Blue Economy
A stop from May 18-19 in Norway marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years. Modi will engage with King Harald V and PM Jonas Gahr Støre to leverage the India-EFTA agreement, specifically targeting the “Blue Economy” and Norway's $28 billion capital market investment in India.
The 3rd India-Nordic Summit will convene in Oslo on May 19, bringing together leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to formalise cooperation in Arctic research, renewable energy, sustainability, the blue economy, defense, and space.
Mediterranean Strategic Action
The mission concludes in Italy on May 19-20. PM Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will review the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, a roadmap designed to accelerate defense, clean energy, and science-led innovation between the two nations.
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