PM Modi’s 5-nation tour starts today: Brief schedule, agenda, other things to know

PM Modi 5-Nation Tour Begins: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, May 15, departed for a five-nation foreign tour aimed at strengthening India’s strategic, economic and diplomatic ties across West Asia and Europe. The visit, scheduled from May 15 to May 20, will cover the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.

Key pointers to know about PM Modi's 5-Nation Tour

• PM Modi's first stop will be the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he will arrive today, May 15. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, where discussions are expected to focus on energy security, crude oil and LNG supplies, investment opportunities, and regional security issues. Key regional and global developments, along with ways to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, will also be in focus.
• Following the UAE leg, PM Modi will begin the European phase of his tour with a visit to the Netherlands before travelling to Sweden and Norway. Trade, technology, innovation, supply chain resilience and strategic cooperation are expected to dominate discussions during these engagements.
• In Norway, PM will participate in the India–Nordic Summit, where he is scheduled to meet leaders from Nordic nations to enhance cooperation in areas such as green technology, digital infrastructure and sustainable development.
• The final stop of the tour will be Italy, where talks are likely to centre on defence collaboration, manufacturing partnerships, clean energy initiatives and investment cooperation.
• This marks Prime Minister Modi’s first major multinational visit of 2026 and is being viewed as part of India’s broader effort to expand its global diplomatic outreach and strengthen economic partnerships with key regions.

Exporters Expect Boost in Trade Ties

Ahead of the visit, the exporters' body, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), said the tour comes at a "crucial juncture" and is expected to give fresh momentum to India's trade and investment ties with Europe and the Gulf region.

Calling the visit significant for India's economic and strategic engagement with Europe and the Gulf region, FIEO said the high-level meetings are expected to create new opportunities for Indian exporters across sectors such as engineering, clean energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, textiles, logistics and digital trade.

FIEO President SC Ralhan said, "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. The visit is expected to create substantial opportunities for Indian exporters across sectors, including engineering, clean energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, textiles, logistics and digital trade."

UAE Key Gateway for Indian Exports

FIEO said the UAE remains one of India's most important trade and investment partners and a key gateway for Indian exports to the Middle East and Africa.

UAE Minister Calls PM Modi a "True Treasure"

UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy hailed the Prime Minister as a "true treasure" for the leadership and people of the Emirates, stating that the bilateral relationship is poised to scale "new mountaintops" in trade and technology.

Speaking with ANI, Al Hashimy expressed great excitement for the visit, noting that PM Modi remains a key figure in a longstanding partnership.

She said PM Modi's visit will take forward the regular high-level engagements between the two countries following the UAE President's visit to India in January and the Crown Prince's participation in the AI Summit in February.

With ANI Inputs