Narendra Modi landed in Dubai today, to begin his six-day tour to the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The trip is an opportunity to cement India’s strategic, economic and diplomatic ties with some of the world’s most important countries.
Prime Minister Modi made his first visit there and spoke to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The negotiations resulted in several landmark agreements and investment opportunities to further improve collaborative cooperation between nations.
The Indian and UAE Framework Agreement on the Strategic Defence Partnership is an emblem of growing military and security cooperation between the two entities. In a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Strategic Petroleum Reserves in support of India's energy security, the two countries also signed.
Subsequent major agreement was also centred around liquified petroleum gas (LPG) supplies underpinning the UAE’s status as one of India’s major energy partners. Additionally, they entered into an MoU for the establishment of a Ship Repair Cluster at Vadinar, which will serve maritime infrastructure and industrial projects.
UAE also announced five billion US dollar investments in infrastructure projects in India and investments involving RBL Bank and Samman Capital. Investment announcements should further enhance economic cooperation between the two countries and enhance financial links.
For 25 years, the UAE has remained India’s third-largest trading partner and seventh-largest overall investment contributor to India. Agreements signed during Modi’s visit will create an additional level of investment in trade, infrastructure and energy partnerships, analysts suspect.
Following his visit to the UAE, Prime Minister Modi left for the Netherlands to follow through on the second phase of his international tour.
On May 16 and 17, he will go to the country. Modi’s visit, as per an official statement from the Government of the Netherlands, will focus on enhancing bilateral relations as well as fostering a partnership between India and the Netherlands.
May 16 is the date that PM Modi's arrival will first be received by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at Huis ten Bosch Palace. On May 16, an exclusive luncheon will be held for the Indian Prime Minister and his delegation for this sitting.
The host will be Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen himself, and the senior industry, arts, culture and academia staff will attend the ceremony to attend. Prime Minister Rob Jetten will also meet Modi at the Catshuis, the official residence of the Dutch prime minister.
At a CEO roundtable, the leaders will also be joined by Minister Sjoerdsma of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. It is expected that two companies will sign an official cooperation agreement during the official visit, with the two prime ministers, for improved economic cooperation between India and the Netherlands. For Prime Minister Modi, this multi-nation tour is viewed as a significant outreach towards diplomacy, meant to broaden India’s global partnerships in trade, investment, energy, technology, and strategic matters.
