PM Modi returns to India after a five-nation tour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (May 21, 2026) landed in the national capital, returning from a five-nation tour during which he signed deals on energy, defense and critical minerals.
The Prime Minister embarked on his tour on May 15, visiting the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy in a few days.
PM Modi’s Five Nation Tour: Highlights May 20, 2026
“Concluding a very productive visit to Italy. My discussions with Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni covered a wide range of sectors. A key outcome of the visit was our decision to elevate India-Italy ties to a special strategic partnership that will give new impetus to our cooperation in the years to come,” Mr Modi wrote on X.
“Thank you Prime Minister Meloni, the Italian government and the wonderful people of Italy for their friendship,” he wrote on X.
“India-Italy relations are strengthening! Last leg of PM @narendramodi’s 5-nation tour concludes. PM left for India after a successful visit to Italy marked by significant results and a new impetus in deepening the special strategic partnership with Italy,” External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post.
Mr. Modi also called on Italian President Sergio Mattarella and discussed various aspects related to India-Italy friendship, including trade, investment, cultural ties, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, space and nuclear energy.
Mr. Modi also received the prestigious FAO Agricola Medal. PM Modi and Ms Meloni also planted a Mulberry tree in Italy on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) as part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
PM Modi arrived in Italy on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) night from Norway, where he attended the third India-Nordic Summit and held bilateral talks with his counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
PM Modi received Norway’s highest civilian award, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. This is Prime Minister Modi’s 32nd international honour.
His visit to Norway was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in 43 years.
Mr Modi began his trip with a visit to the United Arab Emirates, where the two sides signed a series of landmark pacts covering strategic oil reserves, long-term LPG supplies, defense and shipping, with Abu Dhabi pledging a total of $5 billion in investments in India.
PM Modi also engaged in high-level talks with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed amid the escalating conflict in West Asia.
He left the UAE for the Netherlands, where the two countries decided to upgrade ties to a strategic partnership, signing 17 pacts on defence, critical minerals and other sectors.
Following talks between Mr Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, India and the Netherlands unveiled a “strategic partnership road map” to strengthen ties in trade and investment, defense and security, critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors, space, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
The two leaders also launched an ambitious “India-Netherlands Roadmap for Green Hydrogen Development”.
From there, PM Modi traveled to Sweden where he was awarded the ‘Royal Order of the North Star, Grand Cross Commander’ in recognition of his outstanding contribution to India-Sweden relations and his visionary leadership.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit, India and Sweden agreed to enhance ties to a strategic partnership.
India-Nordic summit: From trade, research to security, here’s what PM Modi, Nordic leaders discussed
India-Nordic summit: From trade, research to security, Here’s what PM Modi, Nordic leaders discussed | Video Credit: The Hindu
Published – 21 May 2026 07:07 IST