New Delhi, May 15: Narendra Modi is set to visit the United Arab Emirates on Friday to strengthen bilateral ties under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with energy security and economic cooperation expected to dominate discussions.
During the visit, Modi will hold talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on expanding cooperation across trade, investment, energy, and people-to-people engagement. The discussions are also expected to cover regional and global strategic developments.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit aims to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership anchored in strong political, cultural, and economic ties.
Energy security is likely to emerge as a key agenda item, with India and the UAE expected to conclude two major agreements related to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and strategic petroleum reserves. The proposed agreements are seen as part of India’s broader efforts to diversify and secure long-term energy supply chains amid global geopolitical uncertainty.
The UAE remains one of India’s most important economic partners, ranking as the country’s third-largest trading partner and seventh-largest source of cumulative foreign investment over the past 25 years. The Gulf nation is also home to more than 4.5 million Indians, making diaspora welfare another important area of engagement.
The UAE visit marks the first leg of Modi’s six-day, five-country diplomatic tour covering Europe and the Gulf region.
Following the UAE, the Prime Minister will travel to the Netherlands, where he is scheduled to meet King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and Prime Minister Rob Jetten to advance bilateral cooperation.
In Sweden, Modi will hold talks with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, focusing on trade, innovation, and emerging technologies. The two leaders are also expected to address the European Round Table for Industry alongside Ursula von der Leyen.
The Prime Minister will later participate in the India-Nordic Summit in Norway before concluding the tour in Italy, where he will meet President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The visit underscores India’s dual strategic priorities of strengthening energy partnerships and expanding economic engagement with key global partners across Europe and the Gulf.
