Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oslo on May 18, 2026, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in 43 years. The last such visit was by Indira Gandhi in June 1983. This two-day official engagement, part of a broader five-nation European tour, includes bilateral discussions with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, a meeting with King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and India’s participation in the 3rd India-Nordic Summit on May 19. The visit comes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Sweden’s highest civilian honour for a foreign head of government — the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross — during his official visit to Gothenburg on May 17, 2026. This prestigious recognition marks his 31st international honour and highlights the growing warmth and strategic depth in bilateral relations between India and Sweden. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden presented the award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the Netherlands on May 16-17, 2026, has ushered in a new era of cooperation between the two nations. During the visit, India and the Netherlands formally elevated their longstanding relationship to a full Strategic Partnership, adopting an ambitious Roadmap for India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership (2026-2030). This comprehensive framework aims to deepen collaboration across trade and investment, critical and emerging technolo

As India takes over the BRICS chairmanship for 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined a forward-looking vision for the grouping. He emphasised strengthening multilateralism, promoting sustainable development, enhancing economic resilience, and building a more inclusive world order that better reflects the aspirations of emerging economies and the Global South. The two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in New Delhi on May 14-15, marked a significant early ste

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s brief visit to Abu Dhabi on Friday has resulted in several important agreements between India and the United Arab Emirates. These pacts focus on energy security, defence cooperation, and economic collaboration at a time when global energy markets face uncertainty due to developments in West Asia. The agreements are expected to support India’s long-term requirements for stable fuel supplies and strategic reserves. The visit, which lasted a few ho

In a significant development for India’s seafood sector, the European Union has reinstated the country in its revised draft list of approved third countries for aquaculture product exports. This move guarantees uninterrupted access to the EU market beyond September 2026, following India’s successful alignment with the bloc’s stringent antimicrobial regulations. The European Commission published the revised draft on May 12, 2026, reflecting the progress made by Indian authorit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India’s steadfast commitment to peace and stability in West Asia during his high-level meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The discussions, held shortly after Modiji’s arrival in Abu Dhabi, underscored the deep strategic partnership between the two nations amid ongoing regional tensions. This visit marks the first leg of Modiji’s five-nation tour from May 15 to 20, which also includes the Netherlands, Swed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a five-nation tour on May 15, 2026, beginning with a concise yet highly significant four-hour visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This stopover, en route to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy, underscores the priority placed on strengthening bilateral ties with a key partner amid rising global energy uncertainties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit comes at a time of heightened volatility in global energy markets a

India has commenced the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital, under its 2026 chairship of the expanded grouping. Chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, the gathering brings together senior diplomats from BRICS member countries and partner nations to discuss global and regional challenges while advancing shared goals of resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability. The meeting features a symbolic family

India has voiced strong disapproval following an attack on an Indian-flagged cargo vessel near the Omani coast, describing the incident as “unacceptable” and highlighting the growing risks to commercial shipping and civilian mariners in a volatile maritime region. Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near Bandar Abbas, Iran. Representative image: Reuters File | Firstpost MEA’s Firm Response The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clear statement on Thursday condemning the

In a significant boost to India’s growing stature as a global technology and innovation hub, ride-hailing and mobility giant Uber has announced plans to set up its first data centre in the country in collaboration with the Adani Group. The facility is expected to become operational later this year and will play a pivotal role in testing and deploying advanced technological solutions. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi made the announcement following a meeting with Adani Group Chairma

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman is set to take effect on June 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties between the two nations. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the development after productive discussions with the Omani delegation on the sidelines of the CII Annual Business Summit 2026. This agreement, signed in December 2025, represents Oman’s first comprehensive trade p

India has firmly criticised China for providing technical assistance to Pakistan during the 2025 military confrontation known as Operation Sindoor. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised that countries which regard themselves as responsible global actors should carefully consider how supporting efforts to shield terrorist infrastructure can harm their international reputation and standing. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the matter during the daily media brief

Trinidad and Tobago has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first nation in the Caribbean to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), marking a significant advancement in regional digital transformation and strengthening bilateral ties with India. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar highlighted this development during his official visit to the country, describing it as a forward-looking step that reflects the growing convergence of technology, economic

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasised the deep familial ties between India and Suriname, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared history and mutual trust rather than mere diplomatic formality. During his maiden official visit to the South American nation, coinciding with 50 years of diplomatic relations, Jaishankar assured Suriname of India’s steadfast support in its development journey. The visit has opened new avenues for cooperation across mult

India and Vietnam have formally upgraded their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a significant milestone in their longstanding friendship. The announcement followed productive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. This elevation builds on a decade of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2016 and comes as both nations celebrate 54 years of di

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a firm condemnation of the recent drone and missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates that targeted the strategic Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ). The strikes injured three Indian nationals and triggered a significant fire at a key oil facility, raising fresh concerns over regional stability and global energy security. In a post on X on May 5, PM Modi described the incident as unacceptable, emphasising that targeting civilia

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrived in Suriname’s capital on 6 May 2026 for his first-ever official visit to the South American nation. This marks the second leg of his nine-day three-nation tour covering Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The visit comes at a significant moment as India and Suriname celebrate 50 years of formal diplomatic relations established in 1976. Upon landing at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, Jaishankar received a warm

India has reiterated its longstanding position on the traditional route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, dismissing Nepal’s recent territorial objections as unfounded and not supported by historical evidence. The Ministry of External Affairs described the use of the pass as a continuation of decades-old practice, emphasising that the arrangement is not a new development. This diplomatic exchange follows Nepal’s issuance of formal note

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen economic ties, driving bilateral merchandise trade beyond the historic $100 billion mark. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted this achievement, noting that the pact has not only boosted direct trade volumes but also opened new avenues for services and value-added exchanges between the two nations. The agreement, signed in February 2022