Modi to visit UAE and four European nations in push for energy and trade ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United Arab Emirates and four European countries from May 15 to 20 to strengthen bilateral ties on energy, trade and investment, India's foreign ministry announced.

The tour comes as surging oil prices linked to Middle East tensions strain India's economy. Stops include the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.

Why is Modi visiting the UAE and Europe in May 2026?

Modi's five-nation tour is aimed at securing energy supplies and deepening trade partnerships as rising crude prices weigh on India's economy.

The UAE visit focuses on energy cooperation, while the European leg advances talks linked to a broader India-EU trade agreement concluded earlier this year. The trip also covers green transition, technology and defense cooperation.

What will Modi discuss during his UAE visit?

Modi is expected to meet UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on May 15 to discuss energy cooperation and broader strategic ties. The UAE is India's third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade at nearly $84 billion in 2023-24, making it a critical partner as India seeks to stabilize energy costs. Regional and global developments of mutual interest are also on the agenda.

The visit was added to Modi's Europe tour at a late stage, underscoring the urgency of energy security discussions given the current climate in West Asia.

India has stepped up domestic measures to curb the impact of rising energy costs, including calls for fuel conservation, reduced imports and lower discretionary spending. Indian equities have fallen and the rupee hit its weakest closing level on record in over a month.

How is the Middle East crisis affecting India's economy?

As a major energy importer, India is exposed to any sustained rise in crude oil prices, which risk widening its current account deficit, slowing growth and fueling inflation. The spike in prices linked to Middle East tensions has already unsettled Indian markets. The Modi government has been working to limit the damage through a combination of import diversification and fiscal restraint.

What is the focus of Modi's European tour?

The four-nation European leg of the tour covers the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, with talks expected to focus on trade, investment, green transition, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

The visits are intended to advance discussions connected to the India-EU trade agreement reached earlier in 2026. Defense cooperation and regional security are also expected to feature in bilateral meetings.

India has been deepening its engagement with European partners as it seeks to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on any single energy source or trade corridor.

The five-nation tour reflects a broader Indian diplomatic push to build strategic partnerships that can cushion the economy against global shocks. Modi is scheduled to return by May 20.