Narendra Modi is set to visit Norway, followed by trips to Sweden, Netherlands, and Italy, according to sources. His itinerary is also expected to include participation in the India-Nordic Summit in Norway.
Narendra Modi is set to embark on a four-nation tour of Europe next month, sources said on Tuesday, adding that the official visit is likely to take place from May 15 to 20.
The Prime Minister is expected to begin his trip in Norway, followed by visits to Sweden, Netherlands, and Italy. His itinerary is also likely to include participation in the India–Nordic Summit in Norway, according to the sources.
The planned visit comes against the backdrop of growing global uncertainty stemming from the ongoing conflict between Iran and its proxies, alongside the joint front of Israel and the United States.
The crisis has significantly disrupted fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route that previously handled nearly 20% of global crude supplies. As a result, much of the world is now grappling with a severe energy crisis.
India–EU Free Trade Agreement
Of the four countries Narendra Modi is set to visit, all except Norway are members of the European Union. The upcoming tour will mark his first visit to Europe since India and the EU announced a landmark bilateral Free Trade Agreement earlier this year.
The announcement on the conclusion of negotiations for the India–EU FTA was made jointly by both sides after years of sustained dialogue and cooperation. Talks on the agreement had originally begun in 2007 but were paused in 2013 due to differences over its scope. Negotiations resumed nearly a decade later, in June 2022.
The EU remains one of India’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade in goods and services steadily increasing over the years. In 2024-25, trade in goods between India and the EU stood at ₹11.5 lakh crore (USD 136.54 billion), with exports worth ₹6.4 lakh crore (USD 75.85 billion) and imports at ₹5.1 lakh crore (USD 60.68 billion). Trade in services between the two sides reached ₹7.2 lakh crore (USD 83.10 billion) in 2024.
Often described as the “mother of all deals,” the India–EU FTA is expected to allow 93% of Indian exports to enter the 27-nation bloc duty-free. In return, luxury cars and wines produced within the EU are likely to benefit from reduced import duties.
At the time of the announcement, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry described the pact as going beyond a traditional trade agreement, calling it a comprehensive partnership with strategic significance and one of the most important FTAs. It noted that India has secured unprecedented market access for over 99% of its exports by value to the EU, further strengthening the ‘Make in India’ initiative.