PM Modi’s massive 5-nation Europe-UAE tour begins May 15 — Big deals on energy, AI, defence expected

During the meeting, the two leaders will discuss ways to advance the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership underpinned by strong political, cultural, economic and people-to-people links.

"The visit will serve to promote the significant trade and investment linkages between the two countries," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

This is Modi's first visit to the UAE amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

His UAE visit on May 15 will be a part of the five-nation tour, which he will commence on Friday.

For the second leg of his visit, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten, Prime Minister Modi will pay an official visit to the Netherlands from May 15-17, 2026.

This will be the Prime Minister’s second visit to the Netherlands after his previous visit in 2017.

"During the visit, Prime Minister will call on Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten. Prime Minister’s visit will build on the momentum of high-level engagements and close cooperation spanning diverse sectors, including defence, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors and a Strategic Partnership on Water," the statement said.

Netherlands is one of India's largest trade destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade worth USD 27.8 billion (2024-25); and India's 4th largest investor with cumulative FDI of USD 55.6 billion.

In the third leg of his foreign visit, Modi will travel to Sweden on May 17-18.

The Prime Minister had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 for the first-ever India-Nordic Summit.

"PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with PM Kristersson to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade, which has reached USD 7.75 billion (2025), and Swedish FDI into India which has reached USD 2.825 billion (2000 – 2025), as well as collaboration in green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action and people-to-people ties," the statement said.

The two Prime Ministers will also address the European Round Table for Industry, a leading pan-European business leaders forum, along with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

In the fourth leg of his visit, Prime Minister Modi will pay an official visit to Norway from May 18 May 19 for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements.

This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Norway, and will mark the first Prime Ministerial visit from India to Norway in 43 years.

The Prime Minister will call on King Harald V and Queen Sonja and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Prime Minister will also address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit along with the Norwegian Prime Minister.

"The visit will provide an opportunity to review the progress made in India-Norway relations and explore avenues to further strengthen them, with a focus on trade and investment, capitalizing on the India – EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, as well as on clean & green tech and blue economy," the statement said.

 The 3rd India-Nordic Summit will take place in Oslo on 19 May 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be joined by the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre; Prime Minister of Denmark,Mette Frederiksen; Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo; Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir; and Prime Minister of Sweden,  Ulf Kristersson for the Summit.

The Summit will build upon the two previous Summits held in Stockholm in April 2018 and in Copenhagen in May 2022, and will impar a more strategic dimension to India’s relationship with the Nordic countries, especially in technology and innovation; green transition and renewable energy; sustainability; blue economy; defence; space and the Arctic.

The visit will also provide an impetus to India’s bilateral trade (USD 19 billion in 2024) and investment ties with Nordic countries as well as help build resilient supply chains following the India-EU FTA and India-EFTA TEPA.

In the final leg of his visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister Modi will undertake an official visit to Italy from 19–20 May 2026.

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

During the visit, he will call on the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Prime Minister Meloni.

The visit takes place in the backdrop of a strong momentum in bilateral ties with both sides proactively implementing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029.