gulf tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a five-nation tour starting Friday, with the UAE as his first stop. He will meet President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including energy cooperation. This visit marks his first to a Gulf country since the West Asia conflict began.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a five-nation tour in the UAE, receiving a ceremonial escort and holding high-level talks with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit aims to bolster India's partnerships in trade, technology, and clean energy with the UAE and European nations, with significant opportunities anticipated for Indian exporters.

India and the UAE solidified their friendship with seven key agreements during PM Modi's visit. These pacts focus on energy security, including strategic petroleum reserves and LPG supply, alongside a significant defense partnership. Further collaborations will boost India's maritime sector and establish a supercomputer cluster, with the UAE committing $5 billion in investments.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Narendra Modi to Rome for discussions aimed at elevating bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership. The visit focuses on strengthening cooperation, particularly through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and includes plans for annual summits and a trade target of 20 billion euros by 2029.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a significant five-nation tour. He will visit the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. The visits aim to boost India's engagement with Europe and the Gulf region. Discussions will focus on trade, investment, energy, and technology. This tour underscores India's growing global partnerships.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested India could play a long-term diplomatic role in mediating US-Iran tensions, while Pakistan facilitates immediate dialogue. Lavrov highlighted India's diplomatic experience and global standing, noting its direct stake in West Asian stability and energy security.

The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding related to strategic petroleum reserves, along with an agreement concerning supplies of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to reconsider overseas travel and embrace domestic tourism due to rising global crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainties. He emphasized that conserving foreign exchange reserves and supporting local businesses is a patriotic duty during challenging economic times, encouraging reduced use of imported products and increased reliance on public transport and EVs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may make a brief stopover in the UAE next month during his European tour. Discussions are ongoing for this potential visit, which would underscore India's strong strategic partnership with the Gulf nation. This stopover would allow India to express solidarity following Iran's strikes on GCC countries.

India braces for diverse weather challenges as the IMD forecasts thunderstorms, hailstorms, and strong winds across various regions, impacting travel plans. Heat waves are also expected in western Rajasthan. Tourists are advised to remain flexible with schedules and stay informed about weather updates to navigate potential disruptions.

Indian summer vacation plans to exotic locales are facing a significant setback. A combination of the West Asia conflict and a depreciating rupee has inflated overseas tour package costs by approximately 20%. This surge, coupled with geopolitical instability, has led to a sharp decline in international travel demand, particularly to the Gulf and Europe, impacting the peak summer season.

UAE exits Opec, impacting global oil dynamics amid regional tensions. Ukraine escalates attacks on Russia, forcing Moscow to scale back Victory Day parades. King Charles' US trip strengthens UK-US ties. Syria begins its first transitional justice trial. China pressures African nations, forcing Taiwan's President to cancel a trip.

The West Asia conflict is significantly impacting summer travel, prompting families to avoid international destinations due to safety concerns and escalating costs. This shift has led to a surge in bookings for domestic hill stations and coastal areas, with popular spots like Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh experiencing increased footfall and higher package prices.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's explosive 17-ball 52 in IPL 2026 has reignited calls for his India debut. Former England captain Michael Vaughan urged selectors to include the young talent on the upcoming white-ball tour of England, emphasizing the need for him to experience the national team environment.

Ukraine has inked new defence pacts with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, following a similar agreement with the UAE. These deals focus on drone warfare expertise, joint projects, and technological exchange. Kyiv aims to leverage its experience countering Russian drones to assist Gulf nations facing threats, potentially trading its interceptors for advanced air defence systems.