Why PM Modi is on a six-day UAE and Europe tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began a six-day visit to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy as India looks to strengthen energy security, trade partnerships and strategic cooperation amid continuing geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global markets.

The tour comes at a time when the ongoing conflict involving the US and Iran has raised concerns over global oil supplies, shipping routes and trade flows. Safeguarding energy supplies, reducing the impact of disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis and expanding cooperation in areas such as defence, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and green technology are expected to be among the key focus areas of the visit.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the prime minister will meet several world leaders over the next six days to strengthen India’s global partnerships across multiple sectors.

UAE visit to focus on energy security and trade

Modi’s first stop is the UAE, where he will hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on advancing the India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership and discussing the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The prime minister will remain in the Gulf nation for around four hours before travelling onwards to Europe.

India and the UAE are expected to finalise two major agreements linked to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and strategic petroleum reserves during the visit.

The talks come amid growing uncertainty in global energy markets after the escalating conflict between the US and Iran led to Tehran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route through which around 20 per cent of the world’s petroleum supply passes.

Modi and President Al Nahyan are also expected to discuss expanding bilateral trade and investment ties.

The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and its seventh-largest source of investment cumulatively over the last 25 years. Officials said the visit will also focus on the welfare of the more than 4.5 million-strong Indian community living in the UAE.

Netherlands visit to deepen trade and technology ties

In the second leg of the visit, Modi will travel to the Netherlands from May 15 to 17. It will be his second visit to the country after 2017.

During the trip, Modi will meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit is aimed at expanding the multi-sector partnership between the two countries.

The Netherlands is among India’s largest trade destinations in Europe. Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25, while the European country is India’s fourth-largest investor with cumulative foreign direct investment of USD 55.6 billion.

Officials said the discussions are expected to focus on defence, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors and water partnership initiatives.

Sweden talks to focus on AI, green transition and defence

From the Netherlands, Modi will travel to Sweden for a two-day visit from May 17 to 18 at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Modi had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 during the first India-Nordic Summit.

The two leaders are expected to review bilateral ties and explore new opportunities in trade and investment. Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.

According to the MEA, the talks are expected to cover green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence cooperation, space collaboration, climate action and people-to-people ties.

Modi and Kristersson will also jointly address the European Round Table for Industry alongside Ursula von der Leyen.

Norway visit linked to India-Nordic Summit

In the fourth leg of the tour, Modi will visit Norway from May 18 to 19 for the third India-Nordic Summit and bilateral meetings with Norwegian leaders.

This will be Modi’s first visit to Norway and the first by an Indian prime minister to the country in 43 years.

During the visit, Modi 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.

The MEA said the visit will review progress in India-Norway relations and focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, clean and green technologies and the blue economy under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.

The EFTA grouping includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on May 19 will also include leaders from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. Officials said the summit is expected to strengthen India’s strategic engagement with Nordic countries following earlier meetings in Stockholm in 2018 and Copenhagen in 2022.

Italy visit to focus on defence, investment and clean energy

The final leg of the tour will take Modi to Italy from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Modi had last visited Italy in June 2024 for the G7 Summit.

During the visit, he will meet President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Meloni.

The visit comes as both countries continue implementing the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 aimed at expanding cooperation across sectors.

India-Italy bilateral trade reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025.

Officials said discussions during the Italy visit are likely to focus on investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology cooperation.