Prime Minister Modi's Upcoming European Tour: Key Details and Implications
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit four European countries next month, including Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Italy. This trip, set for May 15-20, will feature participation in the 'India-Nordic Summit' and comes amid rising global uncertainties due to conflicts in the Middle East. Additionally, this visit marks a significant moment for India-EU relations following the announcement of a historic Free Trade Agreement earlier this year. With the EU being one of India's largest trading partners, the implications of this tour on bilateral trade dynamics are substantial, especially in light of recent disruptions in global energy supplies.
| Apr 21, 2026, 18:55 IST
Overview of the Upcoming European Tour
Next month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an official visit to four European nations. This trip is expected to take place between May 15 and May 20. According to sources, PM Modi will first travel to Norway, followed by visits to Sweden, the Netherlands, and Italy. A significant part of his itinerary includes participation in the 'India-Nordic Summit' in Norway. This announcement comes at a time of increasing global uncertainty due to ongoing conflicts involving Iran and its allied groups against a coalition of Israel and the United States. The war has severely disrupted fuel shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously accounted for nearly 20% of the global crude oil supply. Consequently, many regions around the world are facing a serious energy crisis.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement
India-EU FTA
Among the four countries on PM Modi's itinerary, all except Norway are members of the European Union (EU). This upcoming trip marks his first visit to Europe since the announcement of a historic bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the EU in January of this year. The completion of negotiations for the India-EU FTA was jointly announced by both parties after years of continuous discussions and collaboration. Initial talks for this trade agreement began in 2007, but negotiations were halted in 2013 due to differences over the scope of the agreement. Nearly a decade later, discussions resumed in June 2022.
Growing Trade Relations with the EU
Trade Dynamics
The EU stands as one of India's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade in goods and services steadily increasing over recent years. In the fiscal year 2024-25, India's bilateral trade in goods with the EU reached ₹11.5 lakh crore (approximately $136.54 billion), comprising ₹6.4 lakh crore ($75.85 billion) in exports and ₹5.1 lakh crore ($60.68 billion) in imports. Additionally, in 2024, bilateral trade in services between the two parties is projected to reach ₹7.2 lakh crore (around $83.10 billion).