The visit is expected to give impetus to India’s growing engagement with Europe and the Gulf region amid emerging geopolitical and economic ties.
PM Modi will begin his five-nation tour with a visit to the UAE on May 15, where he is scheduled to hold talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions are expected to focus on energy cooperation, trade, investment and regional issues of mutual interest.
Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, described PM Modi as a “true treasure” for the leadership and people of the Emirates and said bilateral relations are set to touch “new mountain peaks” in trade and technology.
Speaking to ANI, Al Hashimi said that the UAE is looking forward to the visit and described PM Modi as a central figure in the long-standing partnership between the two countries.
He said the visit will build on regular high-level engagement following the visit of the UAE President to India in January and the Crown Prince’s participation in the AI Summit in February.
After his visit to the UAE, PM Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetton and meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima. Semiconductors, green hydrogen, innovation, defense and water management are expected to be discussed.
After this, PM Modi will visit Sweden on May 17-18 for bilateral talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Christerson. The two leaders are also expected to jointly address the European Roundtable for Industry with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The talks are likely to focus on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, green transition and resilient supply chains.
In Norway, the Prime Minister will attend the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on May 19 and hold bilateral discussions with Jonas Gahr Storey, Prime Minister of Norway. The leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are also expected to participate in the summit.
PM Modi’s visit is expected to further strengthen India’s partnership with Europe in a number of sectors with a special focus on expanding trade and investment ties following the recent conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
