New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to begin a high-stakes five-nation tour spanning the Gulf and Europe from May 15 to 20, 2026. This trip is viewed as a pivotal effort to strengthen India’s strategic, economic, and technological ties during a period of significant global transition. The visit will cover the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, reflecting New Delhi’s proactive stance in expanding its trade and technology influence across Europe while reinforcing vital energy and diaspora connections in West Asia. Government officials have indicated that the agenda will focus heavily on trade, investment, green technology, and defence cooperation. Emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and the development of resilient supply chains are expected to be at the forefront of the discussions, particularly as the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement begins to shape bilateral relations in European capitals.
The tour commences in Abu Dhabi, where Prime Minister Modi will meet with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. These talks are set to focus on energy security and investment, alongside the welfare of the 4.5 million Indian nationals currently residing in the UAE, which remains India’s third-largest trading partner. Following this, the Prime Minister will travel to the Netherlands for discussions with Prime Minister Rob Jetten, King Willem-Alexander, and Queen Máxima. The Dutch leg of the journey is expected to bolster cooperation in water management and green hydrogen. This is a crucial partnership, as bilateral trade between India and the Netherlands reached nearly USD 28 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The third leg of the trip takes the Prime Minister to Gothenburg, Sweden, for talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Modi is also scheduled to participate in the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, where the focus will shift toward climate transition and defence manufacturing. The journey then moves to Oslo, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in over four decades. In Norway, the Prime Minister will attend the 3rd India-Nordic Summit to engage with leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and Norway. This summit is designed to refine India’s involvement with the Nordic bloc in areas like Arctic cooperation, the blue economy, and sustainability. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has underscored India’s central role in international security and climate action, describing the visit as vital during this time of global instability.
The final destination of the tour is Italy, where Prime Minister Modi will meet with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella. Both nations are expected to review the progress of the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029, with a specific emphasis on innovation and clean energy. This multi-country outreach is seen by diplomatic experts as a consequential effort by India to position itself as a reliable geopolitical partner and a hub for economic growth amidst shifting supply-chain realities and intensifying global competition.
