By Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his ambitious five-nation foreign tour on Friday with a high-profile arrival in the United Arab Emirates, where his aircraft was escorted by UAE Air Force F-16 fighter jets before landing in Abu Dhabi. The rare ceremonial gesture underlined the growing strategic closeness between India and the Gulf nation.
Soon after landing, Modi was welcomed with a formal guard of honour and received by senior Emirati officials ahead of his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders are expected to hold detailed discussions on strengthening cooperation in energy, trade, investment, emerging technologies and regional security issues.
The UAE visit marks the first stop in Modi’s tour that will also take him to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy between May 15 and May 20. The trip comes at a time when India is pushing to deepen economic and strategic ties with key global partners amid changing geopolitical and trade dynamics.
Officials familiar with the visit said India’s focus during the tour would remain on clean energy partnerships, semiconductor cooperation, digital innovation, defence manufacturing and green growth initiatives. The Prime Minister is also expected to engage with business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora during parts of the tour.
The India-UAE relationship has seen rapid expansion in recent years, especially after the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown significantly, while cooperation in sectors like infrastructure, renewable energy and fintech has also accelerated.
Ahead of Modi’s arrival, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy described the Indian Prime Minister as a “true treasure” for the people and leadership of the Emirates. She expressed confidence that the partnership between the two countries would continue scaling “new heights” in technology, innovation and economic cooperation.
Indian industry bodies have also attached major significance to the Prime Minister’s tour. Exporters believe the visit could open fresh opportunities for Indian businesses in sectors such as engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, food processing, textiles, logistics and digital trade.
After concluding the UAE leg, Modi will travel to the Netherlands, where he is scheduled to meet Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten along with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. Talks there are expected to focus heavily on semiconductor supply chains, water management technologies, green hydrogen and advanced manufacturing.
The subsequent visits to Sweden, Norway and Italy are likely to further strengthen India’s partnerships in sustainable development, innovation and strategic investment. Officials said the multi-country tour reflects India’s growing diplomatic outreach and its attempt to position itself as a reliable global economic and strategic partner.
