PM Modi to visit Oslo on May 18–19 for Nordic leaders’ meet, marking first Prime Ministerial visit to Norway in 43 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day, five-nation diplomatic tour beginning Friday, covering the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, as India seeks to deepen strategic, economic and technology partnerships amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The visit begins in the UAE, where Modi will meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both leaders are expected to advance the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchange views on bilateral issues, including energy cooperation, as well as regional and international developments, particularly the ongoing West Asia conflict.

According to the MEA, the discussions will also focus on strengthening trade and investment linkages. The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and seventh-largest source of cumulative investment over the past 25 years. With a 4.5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the country, issues related to their welfare are also expected to be addressed.

In the second leg, Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17. This will be his second visit to the country since 2017.

In the second leg, Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17. This will be his second visit to the country since 2017. He will meet King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten.

The MEA said the visit will build on growing cooperation in defence, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors, and water management. The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trading partners in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching USD 27.8 billion in 2024–25. It is also the fourth-largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI of USD 55.6 billion.

From there, the Prime Minister will travel to Sweden for a two-day visit from May 17 to 18 at the invitation of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The visit follows Modi’s earlier trip to Sweden in 2018 for the first India-Nordic Summit.

Modi and Kristersson will hold talks reviewing the full range of bilateral ties and explore new areas of cooperation. The two sides are expected to focus on green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate act...

Modi and Kristersson will hold talks reviewing the full range of bilateral ties and explore new areas of cooperation. The two sides are expected to focus on green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action and people-to-people exchanges. They will also address the European Round Table for Industry along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Bilateral trade between India and Sweden has reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.

The fourth leg of the tour will be Norway from May 18 to 19, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country and the first such visit in 43 years. Modi will attend the third India-Nordic Summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

RHe will also call on King Harald V and Queen Sonja and address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit. The MEA said the visit will review progress in bilateral relations and explore opportunities in trade, investment, clean and green technologies, and the blue economy, leveraging the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. EFTA includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The India-Norway business engagement also comes as bilateral trade stands at around USD 2.73 billion (2024), while Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) has investments of nearly USD 28 billion in India.