Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a major five-nation visit this week, with the India-Nordic Summit in Norway emerging as the highlight of the diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening India’s ties with Europe and the Gulf region.
The multi-country visit will include the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, with focus areas ranging from energy cooperation and trade to green technology, innovation and strategic partnerships.
UAE Visit To Focus On Energy, Trade And Indian Diaspora
Modi will begin the tour with an official visit to the UAE on May 15, where he will hold talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, discussions will focus on bilateral cooperation in energy, trade, investment and regional as well as international issues.
The leaders are also expected to review progress under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The UAE remains India’s third-largest trading partner and the seventh-largest source of cumulative investment over the past 25 years. The country is also home to more than 4.5 million Indians, making diaspora welfare an important agenda during the visit.
Netherlands Visit To Boost Strategic Cooperation
In the second leg of the visit from May 15 to 17, Modi will travel to the Netherlands, where he will meet King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The talks are expected to focus on defence, security, semiconductors, green hydrogen, innovation and water management cooperation.
India and the Netherlands share strong economic ties, with bilateral trade touching $27.8 billion in 2024-25. The Netherlands is also India’s fourth-largest investor, with cumulative investments worth $55.6 billion.
Sweden Leg To Highlight Technology And Green Transition
Prime Minister Modi will then visit Sweden during May 17-18 for bilateral talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The discussions will cover emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, startups, climate action, defence, resilient supply chains and space cooperation.
The two leaders will also jointly address the European Roundtable for Industry along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
India-Sweden bilateral trade reached $7.75 billion in 2025, while Swedish foreign direct investment into India stood at $2.825 billion between 2000 and 2025.
India-Nordic Summit In Norway To Be Key Highlight
The most significant engagement of the tour will take place in Oslo on May 19 during the third India-Nordic Summit.
Modi’s visit to Norway will be historic as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years and Modi’s first-ever visit to Norway.
During the visit, Modi will meet Norwegian King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The India-Nordic Summit will also be attended by Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Iceland Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Sweden PM Ulf Kristersson.
The summit aims to deepen India’s cooperation with Nordic nations in technology, innovation, Arctic policy, defence, climate action, green transition and blue economy initiatives.
Italy Visit To Conclude Diplomatic Tour
In the final leg of the visit during May 19-20, Modi will travel to Italy for talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.
The discussions will focus on implementing the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, covering sectors such as trade, investment, manufacturing and strategic cooperation.
India-Italy bilateral trade reached $16.77 billion in 2025, while Italian investments in India stood at $3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025.
Strengthening India-Europe Relations
The five-nation diplomatic tour is expected to significantly strengthen India’s engagement with Europe and the Gulf region amid evolving geopolitical and economic conditions.
Officials said the visit would further deepen India’s trade and investment partnerships while helping build resilient supply chains under recently concluded trade agreements with the European Union and EFTA nations.
