NEW DELHI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on Friday for a tour to the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy.

According to media reports, the PM's visits were aimed at deepening India's strategic partnerships across various sectors, including trade, technology, energy, innovation and green growth, while reinforcing New Delhi's expanding engagement with Europe and the Gulf region.

This would be Modi's first visit to Norway and the first occasion in over 40 years when an Indian prime minister would be visiting the Scandinavian country. ■