New Delhi, May 12
The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) has welcomes the upcoming official visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy from May 15–20, 2026, stating that the visit will significantly strengthen India’s strategic economic engagement with key global partners and provide fresh momentum to trade, investment and technology collaborations during such challenging times.
Reacting to the announcement, FIEO President S C Ralhan said that the Prime Minister’s visit comes at a crucial juncture when India is deepening its economic integration with Europe and the Gulf region through enhanced trade partnerships, resilient supply chains and investment-led growth.
Ralhan stated, “The Prime Minister’s high-level engagements with the leadership of UAE and major European nations underline India’s growing stature as a trusted economic partner and a key driver of global growth. The visit is expected to create substantial opportunities for Indian exporters across sectors including engineering, clean energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, textiles, logistics and digital trade.”
Welcoming the Prime Minister’s visit to the UAE, Ralhan noted that the bilateral relationship has evolved into a strong Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with rapidly expanding trade and investment linkages. He said that the UAE continues to remain one of India’s most important trade and investment partners and a critical gateway for Indian exports to the Middle East and Africa.
“The visit will further consolidate India-UAE economic relations, especially in energy cooperation, infrastructure, investments and services trade. The strong Indian diaspora in the UAE also serves as a vital bridge in enhancing business and people-to-people ties,” he added.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s engagements in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, the FIEO President said that Europe remains one of India’s most significant export destinations and investment sources. He emphasized that the visit gains added importance in the backdrop of the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
Ralhan said, “The Prime Minister’s discussions with European leaders are expected to deepen cooperation in future-oriented sectors such as green hydrogen, semiconductors, AI, innovation, clean technologies, defence manufacturing, blue economy, resilient supply chains and sustainability. These areas hold immense potential for Indian exporters and industry.”
Highlighting the importance of the India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, Ralhan observed that the Nordic region offers significant opportunities for collaboration in renewable energy, climate technologies, maritime sectors, digital innovation and advanced manufacturing.
“The growing strategic convergence between India and Nordic countries can open new avenues for Indian businesses, startups and technology partnerships while supporting India’s transition towards sustainable and green growth,” he added.
FIEO also welcomed the Prime Minister’s participation in major business engagements including the European Round Table for Industry and the India-Norway Business and Research Summit, stating that such interactions will help enhance investor confidence and facilitate stronger industrial partnerships.
Ralhan further stated, “India’s bilateral trade with the countries covered during the visit exceeds USD 70 billion collectively, while investments from these regions into India continue to rise steadily. The visit will provide fresh impetus to bilateral trade, cross-border investments and economic cooperation.”
The FIEO President expressed confidence that the Prime Minister’s visit would further enhance India’s global trade footprint, strengthen market access for Indian exporters and contribute meaningfully towards achieving the country’s long-term export growth objectives.
