GOTHENBURG (Sweden), May 18:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed for Norway after concluding a visit to Sweden, where the two countries elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership and explored new avenues of cooperation.
This will mark the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years, and Modi’s maiden visit to the Nordic nation.
During his two-day visit to Sweden, Modi held talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson, focusing on trade, technology, defence, and other key areas.
They reviewed the full spectrum of India-Sweden ties and agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, marking a major milestone in the relationship.
In a post on X on Monday, Modi said his visit to Sweden was marked by several important outcomes that will add “new momentum to India-Sweden relations”.
“From elevating our ties to a Strategic Partnership, launching the Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0 and the India-Sweden Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor, to setting an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade in the next five years, the discussions were highly productive”, he said.
On Sunday, Modi was also awarded the ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross’ in recognition of his “exceptional contribution to the India-Sweden relationship and his visionary leadership”.
Later in the day, Modi also addressed the European Round Table for Industry, where he asserted that India’s “reform express” is going at full speed and urged Swedish companies to enhance their presence in manufacturing, green hydrogen mission, clean energy and other sectors.
Trade between India and Sweden reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.
Modi’s visit to Sweden was a part of a trip to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy, aimed at ramping up bilateral ties in a range of key areas.
The next leg of his trip will take him to Norway, where the prime minister will attend the third India-Nordic summit and hold bilateral talks with the country’s top leadership.
The India-Nordic summit will take place in Oslo on Tuesday. It will be joined by Modi and his counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden.
During his two-day visit, Modi will also 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 India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will also be an opportunity to “induce momentum” in bilateral trade, which was worth around USD 2.73 billion in 2024. (PTI)
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