PM Modi Embarks on Multi-Nation Tour, UAE Visit to Focus on Energy and Strategic Ties

New Delhi, May 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin a significant multi-nation diplomatic tour on Friday, with the first leg of the visit taking him to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he is expected to hold wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During his visit to the UAE, Prime Minister Modi will meet UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to review bilateral relations, regional developments, energy cooperation and economic partnerships between the two nations.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders will exchange views on key bilateral and global issues while exploring ways to further deepen the strategic partnership that has expanded rapidly in recent years.

“The leaders will discuss ways to advance the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which is underpinned by strong political, cultural, economic and people-to-people ties,” the MEA stated ahead of the visit.

The visit is expected to place special emphasis on energy security, which remains a major pillar of India-UAE cooperation. Official sources indicated that two important Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), related to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cooperation and strategic petroleum reserves, are likely to be signed during the visit.

The UAE continues to play a critical role in India’s energy requirements and has emerged as one of India’s most trusted partners in the Gulf region. Discussions are also expected to focus on trade expansion, investments, infrastructure cooperation and food security initiatives.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the growing economic partnership between the two countries, noting that the UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner and the seventh-largest source of foreign investment into India over the last 25 years.

Apart from strategic and economic issues, the welfare of the Indian diaspora will also feature prominently during the discussions. The UAE hosts more than 4.5 million Indians, making it one of the largest overseas Indian communities anywhere in the world.

MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George, while briefing the media, said the Prime Minister’s foreign tour will span six days and include visits to the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.

Following the UAE visit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to the Netherlands for the second leg of the tour. This will mark his second official visit to the country since 2017. During his stay there, the Prime Minister will call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

In the third phase of the tour, Modi will visit Gothenburg in Sweden, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The leaders are expected to review the full spectrum of India-Sweden ties and explore fresh opportunities to boost trade, innovation and technology partnerships.

The two Prime Ministers will also jointly address the European Round Table for Industry along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The event is expected to bring together leading business leaders from across Europe to discuss investment and industrial cooperation.

The fourth leg of the Prime Minister’s tour will take him to Norway, where he will participate in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit. The summit is expected to focus on climate cooperation, clean energy, digital innovation and Arctic region collaboration, apart from strengthening India’s engagement with Nordic countries.

The final stop of the six-day diplomatic tour will be Italy. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to call on Italian President Sergio Mattarella and hold bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Officials said the multi-nation tour reflects India’s growing engagement with key global partners across Europe and West Asia, while also highlighting the country’s focus on energy security, trade expansion, technological collaboration and strategic diplomacy.

Team Maverick.