Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up a significant diplomatic tour across five nations and returned to New Delhi on Thursday morning. The tour, spanning the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, aimed at bolstering India’s global partnerships. During the visit, strategic objectives included securing energy supplies, fostering technology collaborations, and strengthening economic and strategic ties with European and West Asian allies.
The tour kicked off on May 15 in the UAE and concluded in Italy on May 20. In the UAE, India inked crucial agreements for long-term LPG supply arrangements and allowed the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to expand crude storage capacity in India. Additionally, the UAE pledged investments totaling USD 5 billion in India.
India and the Netherlands signed 17 agreements covering defense cooperation, critical minerals, and green hydrogen initiatives. Prime Minister Modi also visited the Afsluitdijk dam in the Netherlands to explore Dutch expertise in flood control and water management systems.
During the Sweden leg of the tour from May 17–18, India and Sweden upgraded their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership level. Prime Minister Modi participated in the European Round Table for Industry and was honored with Sweden’s prestigious “Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross.”
In Norway, PM Modi engaged in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit, focusing on cooperation in green technology and artificial intelligence. He also received the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in 43 years.
The visit to Italy saw both nations elevate their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership with a goal of expanding trade to €20 billion by 2029. Agreements were signed on agriculture, financial crime prevention, and mobility of Indian healthcare professionals to Italy. Discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni advanced cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
This diplomatic tour highlighted India’s increasing engagement with global partners, emphasizing energy security, innovation, climate cooperation, and enhanced trade relations across regions.
