The Indian diaspora has become one of the most influential global communities, contributing significantly to economies, technology, healthcare, academia, and public life across the world.
Known for its professional excellence and cultural integration, it has also strengthened India’s global presence by serving as a bridge between India and host countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised engaging with overseas Indians during his foreign visits, often addressing large diaspora gatherings and highlighting shared cultural roots as well as India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, while also encouraging them to contribute to strengthening ties between India and their respective countries.
On his current five-nation tour to the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, the focus is on strengthening energy security, protecting supply chains, and attracting technology investments amid instability in the Middle East.
He is also interacting with members of the Indian diaspora in each country, highlighting India’s development journey and future vision.
In terms of discussions, the UAE visit focuses on securing oil and LNG supplies and expanding strategic energy reserves, while the European leg emphasises cooperation in green energy, clean technology, AI, semiconductors, and emerging technologies, alongside deeper trade and defence ties, particularly in Italy and the Nordic countries.
Overall, the tour aims to reinforce economic resilience, attract investment, and build stronger global supply and innovation networks.
Warm Indian community reception for PM Modi
The Indian diaspora has consistently extended a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his international visits, and this was once again reflected during his engagements in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.
In The Hague, PM Modi attended a reception hosted by the Indian community, where he was greeted by a large gathering of diaspora members and friends of India. He praised their contribution in strengthening India–Netherlands relations and their active role in Dutch society, highlighting the cultural heritage of the Surinami-Hindustani community, the growing presence of Indian professionals, and students in Dutch universities. He also noted that shared interests such as cricket and hockey are further deepening people-to-people ties.
He emphasised that India–Netherlands relations are expanding, driven by technology, innovation, and strong trade links, with the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement expected to open new opportunities. Referring to India’s development journey under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he highlighted progress in infrastructure, clean energy, manufacturing, and digital growth, while urging the diaspora to actively contribute to India’s future growth.
The Netherlands is home to a large Indian-origin population, including over 90,000 NRIs and more than 200,000 members of the Suriname-Hindustani community, along with thousands of Indian students.
In Sweden, PM Modi was welcomed with large and vibrant gatherings in Gothenburg, where the diaspora expressed pride through cultural performances and community participation, including ISKCON members, reflecting strong cultural bonds.
Similarly, in Norway, he met members of the Indian diaspora in Oslo, where they greeted him warmly and cultural programmes were also organised, further underscoring the strong global connection between India and its diaspora.
India-UAE agreements across defence, energy and tech sectors
The Prime Minister began his five-nation tour with an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he held wide-ranging talks in Abu Dhabi with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The meeting resulted in a major defence cooperation framework, a $5 billion investment package, and several energy agreements, marking key outcomes of the first leg of the visit.
He was received at the airport with a ceremonial welcome, and both leaders discussed the full scope of the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The visit maintained a strong strategic focus, with PM Modi condemning recent attacks in the UAE and expressing solidarity with its leadership. He also highlighted the importance of safe and uninterrupted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for regional stability and global energy security.
Energy security was a key priority, with both sides finalising agreements to expand UAE participation in India’s strategic petroleum reserves to 30 million barrels and to develop strategic gas reserves in India. IOCL and ADNOC also signed a long-term LPG supply deal, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a key energy partner.
In a major outcome, UAE entities announced $5 billion in investments in India across banking, infrastructure and capital markets, signalling long-term confidence in India’s growth.
A Framework for Strategic Defence Partnership was also signed to deepen cooperation in defence production, technology, training, maritime security and cyber defence.
Further agreements covered technology and maritime sectors, including a supercomputing cluster project, ship repair initiatives, and skill development partnerships. Both sides also welcomed the Virtual Trade Corridor under MAITRI to streamline trade logistics, with PM Modi thanking the UAE leadership for its hospitality and inviting a return visit to India.
India, Netherlands deepen cooperation across sectors
At the invitation of Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to the Netherlands on 16-17 May 2026, marking his first visit to the country since 2017.
On 16 May, he was received at the Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, where he held a bilateral meeting with Their Majesties. The royal couple also hosted a luncheon in his honour.
Prime Minister Jetten and Prime Minister Modi held restricted and delegation-level talks followed by an evening dinner, reviewing the deep historical ties, trade links, and strong people-to-people relations between India and the Netherlands. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership, noting progress made through high-level exchanges, G20 cooperation in 2023, and the AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi in February 2026.
Recognising expanding convergence, the two countries elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership and adopted a comprehensive roadmap covering cooperation in politics, trade and investment, defence, cyber security, emerging technologies including semiconductors, AI and quantum systems, as well as sustainability, health, climate action, water, and education. They also welcomed recent agreements across defence, digital cooperation, pharmaceuticals, maritime heritage, and institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Trade and Investment Committee.
Both leaders reaffirmed shared democratic values, support for a rules-based international order, and backing for UN reforms, including expansion of the Security Council. They also endorsed progress in India-EU relations, including the Free Trade Agreement and a new security and defence partnership, while calling for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
On global issues, they expressed concern over conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, urging dialogue, de-escalation, and adherence to international law, while also stressing freedom of navigation and global maritime security. They reiterated a strong stance against terrorism, condemning attacks and calling for coordinated international action against terror networks, financing, and safe havens.
In technology and innovation, both sides welcomed a major cooperation push in semiconductors and emerging technologies. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Twente, and six leading Indian institutes; IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Madras, to build a “brain bridge” in semiconductors, supported by industry partners such as NXP, ASML, TATA, and CG Semi to strengthen R&D, innovation, and talent exchange.
They also welcomed cooperation in critical minerals, renewable energy, green hydrogen, circular economy, water management, agriculture, healthcare, and maritime development, alongside multiple MoUs aimed at boosting research, sustainability, and industrial collaboration.
In a significant cultural milestone, both leaders welcomed the return of the Chola Era Copper Plates from the University of Leiden to the Indian authorities, highlighting growing cooperation in heritage restitution and cultural exchange.
Further agreements covered education, mobility, migration, startups, and cultural cooperation, with both sides stressing stronger institutional linkages, academic exchanges, and innovation ecosystems. They also emphasised expanding economic ties, with the Netherlands serving as a gateway to Europe and India as a major growth market.
People-to-people ties were highlighted as a key pillar of the relationship, with appreciation for diaspora contributions and cultural initiatives. The visit concluded with both leaders reaffirming their shared vision for a deeper, forward-looking India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership.
Later, the two leaders also visited the Afsluitdijk, one of the Netherlands’ major flood control barriers.
Before departing for Gothenburg, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten personally came to Amsterdam Airport to bid farewell to Prime Minister Modi.
Recently, New Delhi has rejected reported remarks by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on declining media freedom and minority rights in India, asserting that the country remains a “vibrant democracy” with strong protections for free speech and pluralism.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said such concerns often arise from a lack of understanding of India’s scale, history, and diversity. He described India as a 5,000-year-old civilisation with deep cultural, religious, and linguistic pluralism.
He highlighted those major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism originated in India, while Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have long coexisted peacefully in the country. India, he said, continues to reflect this tradition of tolerance and inclusion.
George also defended India’s democratic credentials, pointing to high voter participation and peaceful transfers of power in recent elections, and said India has achieved development through democratic processes rather than violence.
He further stated that minorities in India have grown in number and continue to thrive, calling India a model where diversity has expanded rather than declined. He urged observers to better understand India before forming judgments.
The remarks came after a Dutch journalist raised questions about press freedom and minority rights during PM Modi’s visit. While reports suggested concerns expressed by PM Jetten, he also reaffirmed shared democratic values between India and the Netherlands, including rule of law and good governance.
New framework launched between two nations
For the third leg of his tour, at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Gothenburg, Sweden on 17-18 May 2026. He had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 for the first India-Nordic Summit.
As his aircraft entered Swedish airspace, it was escorted by Gripen fighter jets, highlighting the ceremonial significance of the visit. On arrival at Gothenburg Airport, he was warmly received by Prime Minister Kristersson.
During the visit, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden conferred upon PM Modi the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, Sweden’s highest honour for foreign leaders. Prime Minister Modi also attended a high-level reception alongside PM Kristersson, reaffirming close bilateral ties.
At the European Round Table for Industry (ERT), attended by Swedish and European leaders including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Modi invited companies to expand investments in India across manufacturing, green energy, AI, telecom, and digital infrastructure. He highlighted India’s reform-driven growth and said the country was rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing and innovation hub.
Both sides announced a strategic partnership focused on green transition, defence, emerging technologies, and people-to-people links, and set a goal to double bilateral trade and investment within five years, currently valued at around $7.75 billion annually.
Modi emphasised cooperation in innovation, urging joint development in areas such as AI, deep tech, mobility, healthcare, semiconductors, and clean energy, while also promoting initiatives like Make in India, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the Critical Mineral Mission.
India and Sweden also expanded collaboration in space, defence, and advanced technologies, with their space agencies signing an MoU to jointly develop an instrument for India’s Venus Orbiter Mission. The ‘Tagore-Sweden’ Lecture Series will be introduced under the theme ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’, with the aim of enhancing cultural, intellectual, and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Further discussions covered resilient supply chains, sustainable mobility, and digital technologies. Modi also highlighted growing India-EU engagement and welcomed progress on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, calling it a major step in strengthening trade, technology, and investment ties.
Both sides agreed to deepen industrial cooperation, including proposals for annual CEO-level dialogues and enhanced institutional engagement between India and Europe, as the visit marked a significant step forward in India-Sweden relations.
PM Modi’s Norway visit boosts green, tech and energy partnership
After concluding his visit to Sweden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oslo, Norway, where he was received at the airport by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in 43 years, the last being Indira Gandhi’s visit in 1983.
During the visit, he was conferred the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Norway’s highest honour under the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, recognising his role in strengthening bilateral ties by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. With this, he received his 32nd international honour.
PM Modi also inaugurated the India-Norway Business and Research Summit, where he highlighted the growing economic partnership between India and Europe, noting strong potential in sectors such as healthcare and nutrition. He underlined that trade relations are driven by shared trust and expanding opportunities.
He also met King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, conveying greetings from India and appreciating Norway’s natural beauty. Both sides reaffirmed that the relationship is anchored in shared values such as democracy, rule of law, and people-centric governance.
A key outcome of the visit was the upgradation of bilateral relations to a Green Strategic Partnership, focusing on clean energy, climate action, blue economy, and green shipping. PM Modi said India’s scale and talent, combined with Norway’s technology and capital, could create global solutions, while Norway also announced its participation in the Indo-Pacific initiative.
Several agreements were signed covering high-tech health solutions, digital health, and digital public infrastructure. An ISRO-Norwegian Space Agency, MoU was also concluded to deepen cooperation in space. Additionally, both sides agreed on a triangular development partnership to provide digital public infrastructure-based solutions to countries in the Global South.
The interaction at the joint media appearance in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was followed by a brief controversy after a Norwegian journalist alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take her question and raised concerns over India’s press freedom ranking and transparency.
Responding to the remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that many international observers often misunderstand India’s scale and rely on limited or selective reports when assessing the country.
MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George defended India’s democratic framework, stressing that its large population and diversity are sometimes not fully appreciated. He said India functions under a strong constitutional system that guarantees fundamental rights, equality, and access to justice, and pointed to its extensive multilingual media landscape and active public discourse.
He further rejected criticism based on what he described as selective or uninformed narratives, highlighting that India has upheld democratic values since independence, including universal voting rights for women and constitutional protections for equality and human rights.
The controversy began when journalist Helle Lyng attempted to ask a question as PM Modi was leaving the venue after the joint statement. She later posted on X that her question was not taken and referenced India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index, contrasting it with Norway’s position, while also expressing disappointment over the format of the interaction.
In response, the Indian Embassy in Norway invited her to attend an official press briefing scheduled later in the evening.
The incident also triggered a political controversy, with opposition leaders criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the joint media interaction. Rahul Gandhi said, “When there is nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear,” and shared a video on X. He further remarked that it damages India’s global image when, in his words, a “compromised PM” avoids questions and leaves without engaging with the media.
PM Modi’s visit also formed part of the India-Nordic Summit, which brings together leaders from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. The summit focuses on trade, technology, investment, and global challenges, and follows earlier editions held in 2018 and 2022. The engagement is expected to further strengthen India’s economic ties with Nordic countries and support resilient global supply chains amid ongoing trade negotiations with the EU and EFTA partners.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings with the Prime Ministers of Iceland, Finland, and Denmark ahead of the 3rd India–Nordic Summit, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties in clean energy, trade, sustainability, and digital technologies.
In talks with Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, both sides discussed cooperation in renewable energy, fisheries, geothermal energy, carbon capture, innovation, and Arctic and blue economy partnerships, alongside expanding trade and investment through the India–EFTA TEPA.
In his meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, discussions covered trade, investment, AI, 5G/6G, quantum technologies, sustainability, circular economy, education, and mobility, with both leaders also stressing the importance of an early conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement and deeper global cooperation.
