Modi’s Europe tour to focus on trade, technology ties
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy from May 15 to 20 as part of a European tour focused on trade, investment and technology cooperation, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The tour will begin with Modi’s visit to the United Arab Emirates on May 15. According to India’s foreign ministry, the trip is expected to deepen India’s partnership with Europe, particularly after the recently concluded India-EU free trade agreement.
Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17 at the invitation of Prime Minister Rob Jetten. He is expected to meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, as well as hold talks with the Dutch prime minister.
The discussions in the Netherlands will cover defense, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors and water cooperation. The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade partners in Europe, with bilateral trade worth USD 27.8 billion in 2024-25. It is also India’s fourth-largest investor, with cumulative foreign direct investment of USD 55.6 billion.
Modi will then travel to Gothenburg, Sweden, from May 17 to 18 for talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The two sides are expected to review bilateral relations and discuss cooperation in trade, green transition, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, startups, supply chains, defense, space and climate action.
In Sweden, Modi and Kristersson will also address the European Round Table for Industry together with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
From May 18 to 19, Modi will visit Norway for bilateral talks and the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo. It will be his first visit to Norway and the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in 43 years.
The Nordic summit will bring together the leaders of India, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. The meeting is expected to focus on technology, innovation, renewable energy, sustainability, blue economy, defense, space and the Arctic.
Modi will also address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit together with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The visit is expected to give momentum to trade and investment ties, including cooperation under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
The final stop of Modi’s tour will be Italy, where he will visit from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He is expected to meet President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with Meloni.
The Italy visit will focus on implementing the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029. The roadmap covers trade, investment, defense and security, clean energy, innovation, science and technology, and people-to-people ties.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the return of pandemic-era practices, including remote work and virtual meetings, to conserve foreign currency and reduce energy imports.
