PM Modi’s multi-nation outreach is expected to boost India’s trade, energy and technology partnerships with Gulf and European countries amid growing global economic realignment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for Abu Dhabi on Friday as part of a five-nation tour covering the UAE and Europe. | ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for Abu Dhabi, kicking off a five-nation visit that will take him to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy over the next six days as India looks to expand strategic and economic partnerships across Europe and the Gulf.
The tour comes at a significant moment for India’s trade diplomacy, with New Delhi seeking deeper cooperation in sectors such as clean energy, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, defence, logistics and digital trade. Business bodies and officials believe the visit could accelerate investment flows and strengthen India’s positioning as a major global economic partner.
Advertisement
PM Modi’s first stop will be the UAE, where he is scheduled to hold talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), discussions are expected to cover trade, investment, energy cooperation and regional developments.
Advertisement
Official sources said energy security is likely to be a major focus during the visit, with two Memorandums of Understanding related to LPG and strategic petroleum reserves expected to be signed.
The MEA said the UAE remains India’s third-largest trading partner and among the country’s leading investment sources over the past 25 years. The Indian community in the UAE, estimated at over 4.5 million people, is also expected to feature in discussions.
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) described the Prime Minister’s visit as strategically important for India’s engagement with both Europe and the Gulf region.
FIEO President SC Ralhan said the high-level meetings could open fresh opportunities for Indian exporters in sectors including engineering, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, food processing, textiles and technology.
“The Prime Minister’s high-level engagements with the leadership of the UAE and major European nations underline India’s growing stature as a trusted economic partner and a key driver of global growth,” Ralhan said.
UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy also welcomed the visit and called PM Modi a “true treasure” for the people and leadership of the Emirates.
Speaking to ANI, Al Hashimy said the India-UAE relationship was set to scale “new mountaintops” in trade and technology cooperation.
After the UAE leg, PM Modi will travel to the Netherlands, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Rob Jetten as well as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima.
The discussions are expected to focus on semiconductors, green hydrogen, water management, innovation and defence cooperation.
The Prime Minister will then travel to Sweden for talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Both leaders are also expected to jointly address the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The Sweden leg is likely to centre around AI, emerging technologies, resilient supply chains and the green transition.
In Norway, PM Modi will attend the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo and hold bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are also expected to participate in the summit.
FIEO said India’s growing engagement with Nordic countries could support technology partnerships and India’s transition towards sustainable growth.
The final leg of the tour will take the Prime Minister to Italy, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.
The visit comes amid expanding India-Italy cooperation in clean energy, defence manufacturing and technology sectors.
FIEO noted that India’s combined trade with the countries included in the tour currently exceeds USD 70 billion and said the visit could provide fresh momentum to bilateral trade and cross-border investments.
The exporters’ body also highlighted the timing of the visit, coming shortly after the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
Advertisement
