May 12, 2026

Free flow fee plaza (PTI image) NEW DELHI: Busting the perception that people evade paying pending highway toll, NHAI on Monday said half of those who received e-notices after the first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), or barrierless tolling, started on NH-48 in Gujarat have paid their dues — around Rs 30 lakh.E-notices, issued to vehicle owners for failure to pay toll, were started from May 1 after NHAI’s tolling and technology arm, IHMCL, rolled out the MLFF system. Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the second such facility in Delhi on Monday.“This seamless system will make travel easy as no one needs to stop. It will save time and fuel, and NHAI expenses towards toll collection. We will save at least Rs 6,000-7,000 crore annually. It will also plug leakage of toll revenue. People don’t mind paying toll, if it’s seamless,” he told TOI.NHAI chairman Santosh Yadav said that 50% vehicle owners clearing pending toll “proves the hypothesis that people are generally law abiding”. He added that IHMCL has so far bid out 17 MLFF plazas and bids for another 108 have been floated.Gadkari said once all 700 toll plazas become barrier-less, it is estimated to save Rs 295 crore per year in terms of fuel and help reduce 81,000 tonnes of CO2 emission, besides reduction in travel time and enhancement of logistics efficiency. “Our operational cost of toll collection to 3-4% from the current 12-15% and this savings will be utilised for more highway projects,” Gadkari said.The minister said high power cameras installed at MLFF toll plazas will also help curb traffic violations. Yadav said learning from the first MLFF tolling, measures will be taken at the subsequent toll plazas to alert drivers about the approaching barrier-less tolling location.Yadav also announced several initiatives which will be rolled out soon to inform and alert drivers about diversions, fog, cattle and landslide prone areas on their mobile phones and also to track an ambulance in case of emergency. These alerts will be shown on the navigation apps.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summer10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever7 shocking facts about lions that prove they are far more dangerous than most people think5 summer dinner sabzis you can make with just 2 tbsp of mustard oil10 things to do with your parents before it’s too late — Moments you’ll never regret5 elegant dog breeds that were part of royal families123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Free flow fee plaza (PTI image) NEW DELHI: Busting the perception that people evade paying pending highway toll, NHAI on Monday said half of those who received e-notices after the first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), or barrierless tolling, started on NH-48 in Gujarat have paid their dues — around Rs 30 lakh.E-notices, issued to vehicle owners for failure to pay toll, were started from May 1 after NHAI’s tolling and technology arm, IHMCL, rolled out the MLFF system. Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the second such facility in Delhi on Monday.“This seamless system will make travel easy as no one needs to stop. It will save time and fuel, and NHAI expenses towards toll collection. We will save at least Rs 6,000-7,000 crore annually. It will also plug leakage of toll revenue. People don’t mind paying toll, if it’s seamless,” he told TOI.NHAI chairman Santosh Yadav said that 50% vehicle owners clearing pending toll “proves the hypothesis that people are generally law abiding”. He added that IHMCL has so far bid out 17 MLFF plazas and bids for another 108 have been floated.Gadkari said once all 700 toll plazas become barrier-less, it is estimated to save Rs 295 crore per year in terms of fuel and help reduce 81,000 tonnes of CO2 emission, besides reduction in travel time and enhancement of logistics efficiency. “Our operational cost of toll collection to 3-4% from the current 12-15% and this savings will be utilised for more highway projects,” Gadkari said.The minister said high power cameras installed at MLFF toll plazas will also help curb traffic violations. Yadav said learning from the first MLFF tolling, measures will be taken at the subsequent toll plazas to alert drivers about the approaching barrier-less tolling location.Yadav also announced several initiatives which will be rolled out soon to inform and alert drivers about diversions, fog, cattle and landslide prone areas on their mobile phones and also to track an ambulance in case of emergency. These alerts will be shown on the navigation apps.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summer10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever7 shocking facts about lions that prove they are far more dangerous than most people think5 summer dinner sabzis you can make with just 2 tbsp of mustard oil10 things to do with your parents before it’s too late — Moments you’ll never regret5 elegant dog breeds that were part of royal families123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview


Barrierless tolling sees Rs 30 lakh recovery as half of users clear dues

Free flow fee plaza (PTI image)

NEW DELHI: Busting the perception that people evade paying pending highway toll, NHAI on Monday said half of those who received e-notices after the first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF), or barrierless tolling, started on NH-48 in Gujarat have paid their dues — around Rs 30 lakh.E-notices, issued to vehicle owners for failure to pay toll, were started from May 1 after NHAI’s tolling and technology arm, IHMCL, rolled out the MLFF system. Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the second such facility in Delhi on Monday.“This seamless system will make travel easy as no one needs to stop. It will save time and fuel, and NHAI expenses towards toll collection. We will save at least Rs 6,000-7,000 crore annually. It will also plug leakage of toll revenue. People don’t mind paying toll, if it’s seamless,” he told TOI.NHAI chairman Santosh Yadav said that 50% vehicle owners clearing pending toll “proves the hypothesis that people are generally law abiding”. He added that IHMCL has so far bid out 17 MLFF plazas and bids for another 108 have been floated.Gadkari said once all 700 toll plazas become barrier-less, it is estimated to save Rs 295 crore per year in terms of fuel and help reduce 81,000 tonnes of CO2 emission, besides reduction in travel time and enhancement of logistics efficiency. “Our operational cost of toll collection to 3-4% from the current 12-15% and this savings will be utilised for more highway projects,” Gadkari said.The minister said high power cameras installed at MLFF toll plazas will also help curb traffic violations. Yadav said learning from the first MLFF tolling, measures will be taken at the subsequent toll plazas to alert drivers about the approaching barrier-less tolling location.Yadav also announced several initiatives which will be rolled out soon to inform and alert drivers about diversions, fog, cattle and landslide prone areas on their mobile phones and also to track an ambulance in case of emergency. These alerts will be shown on the navigation apps.



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NEW DELHI: Moving to implement the new rural employment framework, the Centre on Monday notified July 1 as the date from when the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025 will come into force. The UPA era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 shall stand repealed from the same date.Under the new VB–G RAM G framework, every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work will be entitled to a guarantee of 125 days of wage employment instead of the 100 days under MGNREGA in every financial year.The ministry of rural development said this step marks a historic transition in India’s rural development framework. Union minister Shivraj singh Chouhan expressed confidence that this scheme will prove to be a milestone in fulfilling the resolve to build “developed villages” as a foundation for a “Developed India.”Chouhan noted that the process of formulating the rules for the new Act is currently underway, following extensive consultations with the states. According to the ministry the rules will be ready soon and put up for public consultations to enable their notification before July 1.The new Act will be implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme. The cost-sharing pattern is 60:40 between the Centre and States, 90:10 for north eastern and Himalayan states, and 100% central funding for Union Territories without legislatures.However, Chouhan assured a seamless transition where it will be ensured that no labourer is deprived of employment during this transition phase.“Ongoing works under MGNREGA as on June 30 shall be saved and carried over in the new framework seamlessly by ensuring consistency with the provisions of Viksit Bharat G RAM G. All e-KYC verified MGNREGA Job Cards shall remain valid under VB–G RAM G until Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued,” the ministry said. Around 91% of around 12 crore active workers have been verified so far.“Workers without Job Cards will not be denied employment merely due to pending e-KYC, and facilitation arrangements for e-KYC completion shall continue at the field level by the state govts,” the ministry added.As laid out in the law, from the commencement of the Act, states will get six months thereafter to make their schemes to enable implementation of the law on ground.However, it is learnt from officials that a scheme template has already been shared with states and many are likely to be ready with their schemes earlier than the six month period.For the financial year 2026–27, the Central government has made a budgetary allocation of Rs 95,692.31 crore, which it cited was the highest-ever allocation at the budget estimate stage for a rural employment programme. Including the likely contribution of the states, the total programme outlay is estimated to exceed Rs 1.51 lakh crore.Meanwhile, reacting to the announcement, Congress on Monday described it as “yet another lazy headline-grabbing exercise” and alleged that the only guarantee that the law offers is that of “extreme centralisation” and “weakening of the bargaining power of rural labour”.Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said, “today’s press release by the Union Ministry of Rural Development on VB-G RAM G adds nothing new to what is already known. It is yet another lazy headline-grabbing exercise by a government that specialises in such exercises. No details have been revealed except to say that they will be released soon.””If this replacement for MGNREGA is to be implemented from July 1, 2026, then all operational details should have been available by now. Public consultations and discussions with state governments on these details have to be done in a meaningful manner and not just to complete a formality,” he added.”But let there be no doubt. The only guarantee that VB-G RAM G offers is that of extreme centralisation and weakening of the bargaining power of rural labour,” Ramesh added.The Congress leader further alleged that the “Constitutional right to work and the right to wages of rural Indian families is being stolen. He also shared a chart on ‘X’ that listed “Modi government’s four attacks on your right to work” alleging that through the VB G RAM G Act, the government is “attacking” the right to work, right to fair wages, panchayati raj and state finances. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summerWhy Kumar Vishwas doesn’t keep these 2 things in his kitchen and shares his Aloo Tamatar Sabzi recipe10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever7 shocking facts about lions that prove they are far more dangerous than most people think5 summer dinner sabzis you can make with just 2 tbsp of mustard oil10 things to do with your parents before it’s too late — Moments you’ll never regret123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview

NEW DELHI: Moving to implement the new rural employment framework, the Centre on Monday notified July 1 as the date from when the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act 2025 will come into force. The UPA era Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005 shall stand repealed from the same date.Under the new VB–G RAM G framework, every rural household whose adult members volunteer to undertake unskilled manual work will be entitled to a guarantee of 125 days of wage employment instead of the 100 days under MGNREGA in every financial year.The ministry of rural development said this step marks a historic transition in India’s rural development framework. Union minister Shivraj singh Chouhan expressed confidence that this scheme will prove to be a milestone in fulfilling the resolve to build “developed villages” as a foundation for a “Developed India.”Chouhan noted that the process of formulating the rules for the new Act is currently underway, following extensive consultations with the states. According to the ministry the rules will be ready soon and put up for public consultations to enable their notification before July 1.The new Act will be implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme. The cost-sharing pattern is 60:40 between the Centre and States, 90:10 for north eastern and Himalayan states, and 100% central funding for Union Territories without legislatures.However, Chouhan assured a seamless transition where it will be ensured that no labourer is deprived of employment during this transition phase.“Ongoing works under MGNREGA as on June 30 shall be saved and carried over in the new framework seamlessly by ensuring consistency with the provisions of Viksit Bharat G RAM G. All e-KYC verified MGNREGA Job Cards shall remain valid under VB–G RAM G until Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued,” the ministry said. Around 91% of around 12 crore active workers have been verified so far.“Workers without Job Cards will not be denied employment merely due to pending e-KYC, and facilitation arrangements for e-KYC completion shall continue at the field level by the state govts,” the ministry added.As laid out in the law, from the commencement of the Act, states will get six months thereafter to make their schemes to enable implementation of the law on ground.However, it is learnt from officials that a scheme template has already been shared with states and many are likely to be ready with their schemes earlier than the six month period.For the financial year 2026–27, the Central government has made a budgetary allocation of Rs 95,692.31 crore, which it cited was the highest-ever allocation at the budget estimate stage for a rural employment programme. Including the likely contribution of the states, the total programme outlay is estimated to exceed Rs 1.51 lakh crore.Meanwhile, reacting to the announcement, Congress on Monday described it as “yet another lazy headline-grabbing exercise” and alleged that the only guarantee that the law offers is that of “extreme centralisation” and “weakening of the bargaining power of rural labour”.Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said, “today’s press release by the Union Ministry of Rural Development on VB-G RAM G adds nothing new to what is already known. It is yet another lazy headline-grabbing exercise by a government that specialises in such exercises. No details have been revealed except to say that they will be released soon.””If this replacement for MGNREGA is to be implemented from July 1, 2026, then all operational details should have been available by now. Public consultations and discussions with state governments on these details have to be done in a meaningful manner and not just to complete a formality,” he added.”But let there be no doubt. The only guarantee that VB-G RAM G offers is that of extreme centralisation and weakening of the bargaining power of rural labour,” Ramesh added.The Congress leader further alleged that the “Constitutional right to work and the right to wages of rural Indian families is being stolen. He also shared a chart on ‘X’ that listed “Modi government’s four attacks on your right to work” alleging that through the VB G RAM G Act, the government is “attacking” the right to work, right to fair wages, panchayati raj and state finances. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings Abroad, Urges Indians To Avoid Foreign Travel’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summerWhy Kumar Vishwas doesn’t keep these 2 things in his kitchen and shares his Aloo Tamatar Sabzi recipe10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever7 shocking facts about lions that prove they are far more dangerous than most people think5 summer dinner sabzis you can make with just 2 tbsp of mustard oil10 things to do with your parents before it’s too late — Moments you’ll never regret123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview

Vamsikrishna 0
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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy beginning Friday to further deepen India’s bilateral ties amid the ongoing geopolitical upheavals.PM Modi’s first destination will be the UAE, where he will meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with an aim to advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and exchange views on the West Asia conflict.”The two leaders will have the opportunity to exchange views on bilateral issues, in particular energy cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest,” t-he Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.It said the visit will serve to promote the significant trade and investment linkages between the two countries.The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and its seventh-largest source of investment cumulatively over the past 25 years.With the UAE hosting over 4.5 million-strong Indian community, the visit will also be an opportunity to discuss their welfare, the MEA said.In the second leg of his trip, Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17. This will be his second trip to the Netherlands, following his visit in 2017.The prime minister will meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten.PM Modi’s visit will build on the momentum of high-level engagements and close cooperation spanning diverse sectors, including defence, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors and a strategic partnership on water, according to the MEA.It said his visit will provide an opportunity to further deepen and expand the multifaceted partnership.The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade worth .8 billion in 2024-25. The European nation is India’s fourth-largest investor with cumulative foreign direct investment of .6 billion.From the Netherlands, the prime minister will travel to Sweden at the invitation of his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson for a two-day trip from May 17 to 18.Modi had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 for the first-ever India-Nordic Summit.The prime minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with PM Kristersson to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade, which has reached .75 billion in 2025.In their talks, the two sides are set to focus on boosting bilateral ties in areas of green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action and people-to-people ties.”The two prime ministers will also address the European Round Table for Industry, a leading pan-European business leaders forum, along with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,” the MEA said in a statement.In the fourth leg of his visit, Modi will be in Norway from May 18 to 19 to attend the third India-Nordic summit as well as to hold bilateral talks with the leadership of the country.This will be the first visit of PM Modi to Norway. It will also mark the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years.PM Modi will call on King Harald V and Queen Sonja and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.Modi will also address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit along with the Norwegian Prime Minister, according to the MEA.”The visit will provide an opportunity to review the progress made in India-Norway relations and explore avenues to further strengthen them, with a focus on trade and investment, capitalising on the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, as well as on clean and green tech and blue economy,” it said.The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.”The visit will also be an opportunity to induce momentum in bilateral trade worth around .73 billion (2024), and investments by Norway’s government Pension Fund (GPFG) of close to billion in the Indian capital market,” the MEA said.The third India-Nordic summit will take place in Oslo on May 19, and it will be joined by Modi and his counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden.The MEA said the summit will build upon the two previous summits held in Stockholm in April 2018 and in Copenhagen in May 2022, and will impart a more strategic dimension to India’s relationship with the Nordic countries.The summit is expected to focus on enhancing two-way ties in areas of technology and innovation, green transition and renewable energy, sustainability, blue economy, defence, space and the Arctic.In the final leg of his visit, PM Modi will undertake an official visit to Italy from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.PM Modi had last visited Italy in June 2024 for the G7 Summit. During the visit, he will call on President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with PM Meloni.The visit takes place in the backdrop of a strong momentum in bilateral ties with both sides proactively implementing the joint strategic action plan 2025-2029, a comprehensive road map for cooperation in various sectors, the MEA said.The India-Italy bilateral trade reached .77 billion in 2025.The focus of Modi’s t-rip to Italy is likely to bolster ties in areas of investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation and science and technology.The prime minister’s upcoming visit will further deepen India’s partnership with Europe across sectors, particularly trade and investment ties in light of the recently concluded India-EU free trade agreement, the MEA said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings, Urges Indians To Fulfil Responsibility Amid West Asia Crisis’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summer10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever7 shocking facts about lions that prove they are far more dangerous than most people think5 summer dinner sabzis you can make with just 2 tbsp of mustard oil10 things to do with your parents before it’s too late — Moments you’ll never regret5 elegant dog breeds that were part of royal families123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview

. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a six-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy beginning Friday to further deepen India’s bilateral ties amid the ongoing geopolitical upheavals.PM Modi’s first destination will be the UAE, where he will meet President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with an aim to advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and exchange views on the West Asia conflict.”The two leaders will have the opportunity to exchange views on bilateral issues, in particular energy cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest,” t-he Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.It said the visit will serve to promote the significant trade and investment linkages between the two countries.The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and its seventh-largest source of investment cumulatively over the past 25 years.With the UAE hosting over 4.5 million-strong Indian community, the visit will also be an opportunity to discuss their welfare, the MEA said.In the second leg of his trip, Modi will visit the Netherlands from May 15 to 17. This will be his second trip to the Netherlands, following his visit in 2017.The prime minister will meet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, and hold talks with Prime Minister Rob Jetten.PM Modi’s visit will build on the momentum of high-level engagements and close cooperation spanning diverse sectors, including defence, security, innovation, green hydrogen, semiconductors and a strategic partnership on water, according to the MEA.It said his visit will provide an opportunity to further deepen and expand the multifaceted partnership.The Netherlands is one of India’s largest trade destinations in Europe, with bilateral trade worth $27.8 billion in 2024-25. The European nation is India’s fourth-largest investor with cumulative foreign direct investment of $55.6 billion.From the Netherlands, the prime minister will travel to Sweden at the invitation of his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson for a two-day trip from May 17 to 18.Modi had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 for the first-ever India-Nordic Summit.The prime minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with PM Kristersson to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade, which has reached $7.75 billion in 2025.In their talks, the two sides are set to focus on boosting bilateral ties in areas of green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action and people-to-people ties.”The two prime ministers will also address the European Round Table for Industry, a leading pan-European business leaders forum, along with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission,” the MEA said in a statement.In the fourth leg of his visit, Modi will be in Norway from May 18 to 19 to attend the third India-Nordic summit as well as to hold bilateral talks with the leadership of the country.This will be the first visit of PM Modi to Norway. It will also mark the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years.PM Modi will call on King Harald V and Queen Sonja and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.Modi will also address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit along with the Norwegian Prime Minister, according to the MEA.”The visit will provide an opportunity to review the progress made in India-Norway relations and explore avenues to further strengthen them, with a focus on trade and investment, capitalising on the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, as well as on clean and green tech and blue economy,” it said.The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) nations are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.”The visit will also be an opportunity to induce momentum in bilateral trade worth around $2.73 billion (2024), and investments by Norway’s government Pension Fund (GPFG) of close to $28 billion in the Indian capital market,” the MEA said.The third India-Nordic summit will take place in Oslo on May 19, and it will be joined by Modi and his counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden.The MEA said the summit will build upon the two previous summits held in Stockholm in April 2018 and in Copenhagen in May 2022, and will impart a more strategic dimension to India’s relationship with the Nordic countries.The summit is expected to focus on enhancing two-way ties in areas of technology and innovation, green transition and renewable energy, sustainability, blue economy, defence, space and the Arctic.In the final leg of his visit, PM Modi will undertake an official visit to Italy from May 19 to 20 at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.PM Modi had last visited Italy in June 2024 for the G7 Summit. During the visit, he will call on President Sergio Mattarella and hold talks with PM Meloni.The visit takes place in the backdrop of a strong momentum in bilateral ties with both sides proactively implementing the joint strategic action plan 2025-2029, a comprehensive road map for cooperation in various sectors, the MEA said.The India-Italy bilateral trade reached $16.77 billion in 2025.The focus of Modi’s t-rip to Italy is likely to bolster ties in areas of investment, defence and security, clean energy, innovation and science and technology.The prime minister’s upcoming visit will further deepen India’s partnership with Europe across sectors, particularly trade and investment ties in light of the recently concluded India-EU free trade agreement, the MEA said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFormer TMC Minister Sujit Bose Arrested By ED In Municipality Recruitment ‘Scam’PM Modi Slams Destination Weddings, Urges Indians To Fulfil Responsibility Amid West Asia Crisis’Voted For Whistle’: MDMK Chief Vaiko’s House Helps’ Meeting With CM Vijay Goes ViralRahul Slams PM Modi’s Crisis Appeal | NIA Probes Bengaluru Security Scare IntensifyTMC Leaders Turn On I-PAC After Bengal Poll Rout, Raise Explosive Claims Against FirmAfter PM Modi’s ‘Save Oil’ Appeal, Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Energy Security Review Meeting’Deeply Shocking’: TVK Ally Questions Vijay Over Vande Mataram Priority At Oath CeremonyTVK Blames Governor’s Office As Tamil Anthem Row Explodes After Vijay’s Oath CeremonySC Asks Mamata To File Fresh Pleas Regarding Victory Margin Being Less Than SIR DeletionsCM Vijay Meets MK Stalin Amid Treasury Row, Fuels Buzz Over Tamil Nadu’s Political Reset123PhotostoriesGold price inflation: Trending alternatives to traditional gold jewellery in 2026Ripe vs Raw Papaya: Which has more nutrition and 5 ways to consume them during summer10 wise quotes by Sudha Murty on love, life and marriageThese 10 daily habits could be the real reason you feel tired, stuck, and brokeAishwarya to Tara: Indian celebrities expected to shine at Cannes Film Festival 20265 stunning flowering plants that can cause Hay Fever7 shocking facts about lions that prove they are far more dangerous than most people think5 summer dinner sabzis you can make with just 2 tbsp of mustard oil10 things to do with your parents before it’s too late — Moments you’ll never regret5 elegant dog breeds that were part of royal families123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultModi on buying goldOil prices todayPune child rape-murder casePerambur election resultIndia-New Zealand FTASugarcane price hikeTop TrendingRCBYesterday Match ResultIPL Points TableUS Iran warTilak VarmaChandranath Rath MurderIPL Orange Cap 2026AIADMK splitPM Modi WFHPBKS vs DC Match Preview

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