Prime Minister returns to Delhi after securing key energy, trade and technology partnerships across Europe and West Asia….reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Thursday morning after concluding a five nation diplomatic tour that took him to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy between May 15 and May 20.
The visit, seen as one of India’s most significant recent diplomatic outreach efforts, focused on strengthening energy security, expanding technology partnerships and deepening economic and strategic ties with key nations in Europe and West Asia.
Beginning his tour in the United Arab Emirates, PM Modi held extensive discussions on energy cooperation and investment. India secured long term LPG supply arrangements while the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was allowed to expand its crude oil storage capacity in India to 30 million barrels. The UAE also pledged investments worth USD 5 billion across sectors in India.
In the Netherlands, India signed 17 agreements covering areas including defence cooperation, critical minerals and green hydrogen. PM Modi also visited the Afsluitdijk dam to study Dutch expertise in flood control and water management, sectors considered important for India’s climate resilience and infrastructure planning.
During his two day visit to Sweden from May 17 to 18, India and Sweden elevated their relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership. PM Modi addressed the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting opportunities for deeper collaboration in innovation, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
The Swedish government also honoured the Prime Minister with the prestigious Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, recognising efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
PM Modi then travelled to Norway on May 19, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Nordic nation in 43 years. In Oslo, he attended the 3rd India Nordic Summit and held discussions with leaders from Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden on cooperation in green technology, clean energy and artificial intelligence.
During the visit, the Prime Minister was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for his contribution to strengthening ties between India and Norway.
The final leg of the tour took PM Modi to Italy, where India and Italy upgraded their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership. Both countries set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to 20 billion euros by 2029.
India and Italy also signed agreements in agriculture, prevention of financial crimes and mobility of Indian healthcare professionals. Talks between PM Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni further advanced cooperation on the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor, a major connectivity initiative linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The five nation tour highlighted India’s growing diplomatic engagement with major global partners, with a strong emphasis on energy security, climate cooperation, innovation and trade expansion across regions.
