Indian PM Modi’s 5-Nation Tour: Major Take Aways – Analysis

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi just concluded his five-nation tour to Europe. He visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (15 May), Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and finally Italy. Each of these five visits resulted in many far-reaching agreements, thereby strengthening bilateral ties with India and carving a roadmap for the coming years. This analysis makes an attempt to identify the major takeaways that would be watched in their routes to fruition. 

UAE

While on the first leg of his five-nation tour in the UAE, PM Modi met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to exchange views on bilateral relations, particularly energy cooperation, and regional and international issues. The two leaders also discussed ways to advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. The visit will help to promote significant trade and investment links between the two countries. The UAE is India’s third largest trade partner and seventh largest source of investment cumulatively over the past 25 years.

Energy cooperation was in focus. The two sides signed key agreements on LPG supplies and strategic petroleum reserves. Because of the disruptions in energy supplies stemming from the crisis in West Asia and due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, energy cooperation with the UAE was paramount for Modi. He also had in mind the welfare of the 4.5 million Indians living in the Emirates. The Indian Oil Corporation and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a strategic collaboration agreement on supplies of LPG, while Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and ADNOC signed a strategic collaboration agreement on strategic oil reserves. There is enormous scope for the LPG supplies as it is widely used for cooking in India. The new deal will be an extension of an existing LPG term contract signed between the two energy companies in 2023 and is likely to support a long term LPG sale and purchase agreement.  

As per the deal reached, India’s reserve capacity is likely to increase by nearly 70% from 5.3 million tonnes, as ADNOC has agreed to ramp up crude oil storage to as much as 30 million barrels. It will add over 4 million tonnes of crude to India’s overall strategic reserves. India is also looking at creating a strategic reserve of 20-30 days for LPG. UAE recently announced its exit from OPEC and plans to ramp up production without being constrained by quotas. While the UAE currently produces about 3.3.mbd of crude, it plans to increase output to 5mbd by 2027 and monetise its reserves.  India and UAE have also signed pacts exploring LNG and LPG storage in India, besides crude storage in Fujairah as part of India’s strategic reserve.    

ADNOC already has an agreement with ISPRL to store more than five million barrels of crude oil at a facility in Mangalore. The UAE is an important partner for energy security as it was the fourth largest source of crude oil in 2025, meeting almost 11 % of India’s needs. India is the largest buyer of UAE’s LNG, with Indian companies having inked long-term supply contracts with ADNOC for 4.5 million metric tonnes per annum. The UAE is also India’s largest source of LPG, and meets almost 40% of the country’s requirements. At the same time, it is the second largest destination for petroleum oil and lubricants exports by Indian refiners. Indian companies have invested more than $1.2 billion in UAE’s upstream sector. 

During the current turmoil in West Asia, the UAE has remained as one of India’s most reliable energy partners. With long-term supply agreements in place, India’s energy security has been bolstered. The two-way trade in goods between India and the UAE has surpassed $100 billion in 2025. Both sides have now set a target of doubling trade to $200 billion by 2032. The UAE is India’s seventh investor, with cumulative DFI inflows of $25.19 billion. A local currency settlement system is already in place between the two sides, reducing dollar dependence and transaction costs.

Modi sought to boost the energy, defence, shiping and technology ties with the UAE and signed six MoUs and investment worth $5 billion from the Arab nation into India. Modi reiterated India’s strong condemnation of the attacks on the UAE, without naming Iran. A framework for strategic defence partnership was also signed with a focus on defence industrial collaboration, innovation and advanced technology, training and exercises. Modi also conveyed India’s clear position in favour of ensuring safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for regional peace as well as energy and food security. 

This was Modi’s eighth visit to the UAE as PM. India welcomed the announcement of $5 billion in investment into India by UAE entities. The UAE was the first leg of Modi’s tour, the next destination being the Netherlands, followed by Sweden, Norway, Norway and ending with Italy.

The Netherlands

Netherlands was the second destination in PM Modi’s five-nation tour. Like with UAE, his trip to the Netherland was equally eventful. During the trip, India and the Netherlands upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership as PM Modi talked with his counterpart Rob Jetten at The Hague. The leaders also witnessed the signing of an agreement between Tata Electronics and ASML to support the semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat’s Dholera. Modi called it an important step in India’s journey for developing a semiconductor ecosystem in the country. From now onwards, the new strategic partnership will be focused on trade and investment, security innovation and people-to-people ties.          

The Netherlands has one of the world’s most advanced semiconductor ecosystems, with Dutch multinationals ASML being the leading supplier for high precision lithography equipment, a critical requirement in manufacturing of semiconductor chips. Indeed, the PM exuded confidence that the year 2026 marks the beginning of a new golden era in India-Europe relations. He reminded the host that India signed this year the historic India-EU Free trade Agreement. The agreement between the world’s two largest democratic and responsible powers, will become a strong foundation for shared prosperity. Both sides also launched an ambitious joint roadmap in green hydrogen ensuring tech ties are future ready. The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade destination in Europe, with bilateral trade worth $27 billion (2024-25) and India’s fourth largest investor with cumulative FDI of $55.6 billion. 

Moidi’s visit to Netherlands secured 17 strategic pacts, including agreement on migration and mobility, green hydrogen and defence cooperation. Modi and the Dutch PM also discussed the situation in West Asia, calling for freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz while opposing any restrictive measures and reaffirmed their support for ongoing efforts and initiatives in that regard.

The two countries also signed a letter of intent to further explore defence industrial cooperation, including the possibility of establishing a roadmap for the manufacturing of defence equipment, components and other key capabilities through co-development, transfer of technology and joint ventures.  

Sweden

After Netherlands, PM Modi travelled to Sweden (17-18 May) and held talks with PM Ulf Kristersson on bilateral relations and to explore new avenues of cooperation, including enhancing trade that was worth $7.75 billion in 2025. Modi and Kristersson addressed the European Roundtable for Industry, a leading pan European business forum, along with European Commission President Ersula von der Leyen. 

India and Sweden upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership. Both the leaders endorsed joint action plan (2026-2030) that cuts across green transition, emerging technologies, trade, security and defence, climate action, and economic frameworks. PM Modi underlined that in the prevailing uncertain world, close cooperation between democracies such as India and Sweden is of paramount importance.

In a special ceremony hosted in Gothenburg, Mori was conferred the ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, one of Sweden’s oldest and most distinguished honours, instituted in the 18^th century. The award is Sweden’s highest honour conferred on foreign heads of government in recognition of the exceptional public service and contribution towards strengthening relations with Sweden.

Modi also highlighted the growing defence cooperation between the two countries. Modi underlined that the two are moving beyond a mere buyer-seller relationship towards a long-term industrial partnership. The discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation in resilient supply chains, green transition, sustainable mobility, life sciences and digital technologies. 

Norway

From Sweden, PM Modi travelled to Norway for two days on 18-19 May for the third India-Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements. This was Modi’s first visit to Norway and also the first visit by an Indian PM to the country in 43 years. Modi met King Harald V and Queen Sonja and held talks with PM Jonas Gahr Store. 

India and Norway elevated bilateral ties to a green strategic partnership and signed agreements on health, space, digitisation and ocean energy, thereby underscoring the importance of trusted partnerships amid growing geopolitical instability, protectionism and economic uncertainty. Modi and Store also discussed issues such as expanding cooperation in renewable energy and the green transition and deepening collaboration in digital technology, space and maritime sectors. 

 Modi and Store also concluded a triangular development cooperation agreement that will allow them to jointly contribute to human development to countries in the Global South through India’s Digital Public Infrastructure project. Both agreed on the rules-based order, dialogue and diplomacy, and remain in agreement that no issue can be resolved through military conflict. Both sides agreed reform of global institution is essential to address the growing global challenges and that eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations a shared commitment.    

PM Modi also pitched India to Norwegian investors. He highlighted the reforms made by India in taxation and the labour code to improve the ease of doing business. Both Modi and Store addressed the India-Norway Business and Research Summit at the cavernous Oslo City Hall on 19 May. The event was attended by CEOs of leading Norwegian companies such as Orkla, Yara and Equinor, which have a significant presence in the Indian market. PM Modi said that a dedicated trade facilitation desk for Norway has been created within invest India. Pointing to India’s aim of generating 500 GW of clean energy by 2030, Modi invited Norway to be an important stakeholder in India’s green energy future. With 10 % of Norway’s ships currently being built in India, Modi said there is potential to increase this to 25 % in five year.

Italy

In the final leg of his visit, PM Modi visited Italy during 19-20 May where he held talks with Italian PM Giorgia Meloni as the two leaders proactively committed to implement the joint strategic action plan for 2025-2028. Both upgraded their relationship to a special strategic partnership, launched a defence industrial roadmap and signed an agreement for cooperation in critical minerals. It was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Italy in 26 years. 

There were 12 other outcomes from Modi’s visit, including an MoU to prevent tax crimes and money laundering and an MoU to boost connectivity through cooperation in maritime transport and ports. Both Modi and Meloni backed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project and called for concrete steps to advance the initiative in 2026. 

More than the outcomes though, it was the display of what Meloni described as her genuine friendship with Modi based on mutual respect and trust that attracted attention, as Modi gifted her Melody toffees. PM Modi extended an invitation to Meloni to visit India, which she accepted. In a joint statement, Modi and Meloni condemned cross border terrorism, including the April 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack. Both India and Italy maintain a significant presence in Africa, where both agreed to work together on “concrete” projects there, including healthcare, connectivity, AI and renewable energy.

Both Modi and Meloni pledged to expand bilateral trade to Rs. 20 billion from the current Rs. 14 billion by 2029 as both agreed to strengthen cooperation to bolster the rules-based order amid growing geopolitical turbulence and conflicts. Both also agreed to enhance the mobility of students, researchers and skilled workers in STEM sectors and to expand cooperation on skill development in lines with the needs of the labour market, including a joint declaration of intent in facilitating the mobility of nurses from India and Italy.

Overall, if one takes a holistic view of such diplomatic engagements, PM Modi’s five-nation tour is one of the most productive ones in terms of scale and economic engagement and outcomes. Viewed broadly, India’s global profile in world affairs is enhanced and that India is well positioned to have a say on the high tables on global affairs so that the world is free of tensions and instabilities.