Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a five-nation tour in the United Arab Emirates on Friday before heading to Europe, overshadowed by energy and supply-chain worries due to the Iran war. Disruptions around Gulf shipping routes and the Strait of Hormuz continue to drive volatility in oil and gas markets, increasing pressure on energy-importing economies, including India. But the trip also reflects India's wider effort to diversify economic and strategic partnerships -- while positioning itself as a major manufacturing and technology hub.
