Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Thursday morning after successfully concluding a five-nation diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.
The overseas visit, which began on May 15 in the UAE and concluded in Italy on May 20, focused on strengthening India’s strategic partnerships, enhancing economic cooperation, securing long-term energy supplies, and expanding collaboration in technology, trade, and innovation with key global partners.
In the UAE, India signed major agreements related to long-term LPG supply arrangements and strategic petroleum reserves. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was given permission to expand crude oil storage capacity in India to 30 million barrels, while the UAE announced investments worth USD 5 billion in India.
During the Netherlands leg of the visit, India and the Netherlands signed 17 agreements covering defence cooperation, green hydrogen, and critical minerals. PM Modi also visited the Afsluitdijk dam to study Dutch expertise in flood control and water management.
In Sweden, India and Sweden elevated bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. PM Modi addressed the European Round Table for Industry alongside Ursula von der Leyen and was conferred Sweden’s prestigious Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross.
The Prime Minister then travelled to Norway, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years. In Oslo, he participated in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit with leaders from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden, discussing cooperation in green technology, artificial intelligence, climate initiatives, and innovation. PM Modi was also awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
The final leg of the tour in Italy saw India and Italy elevate their bilateral relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership.” PM Modi held extensive talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni covering trade, defence, science and technology, energy, space, artificial intelligence, education, and connectivity.
Both countries agreed to expand bilateral trade to 20 billion euros by 2029. Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in areas including agriculture, mobility of healthcare professionals, traditional medicine, connectivity, defence, and critical technologies.
The two leaders also discussed regional and global developments, including the West Asia situation, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and progress on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Following the Italy visit, PM Modi said in a post on X, “Concluding a very productive visit to Italy. My discussions with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni covered a wide range of sectors. A key outcome of the visit was our decision to elevate India-Italy ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, which will add new momentum to our cooperation in the years to come. I thank Prime Minister Meloni, the Government of Italy and the wonderful people of Italy for their friendship.”
According to Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, the visit further deepened cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, innovation, research, energy, and people-to-people ties.
(With agency inputs)
