India’s engagement with the Nordic countries took on a sharper strategic edge after the 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Nordic leaders for the summit hosted by Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, with heads of state from Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden also in attendance; Modi held bilateral talks with several counterparts on the sidelines.
Officials said the leaders agreed to elevate the relationship into a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership, reflecting shifting geopolitical and technological priorities. The Nordic economies, whose combined GDP exceeds USD 2 trillion, are recognized for strengths in niche technologies and sustainability solutions. Areas highlighted for expanded cooperation include clean and green technologies, renewable energy (notably offshore wind, green hydrogen and green methanol), e-mobility, digitalisation, ICT and AI, as well as the blue economy and maritime solutions.
The summit advanced both bilateral and plurilateral collaboration across sectors such as clean energy, digital technology, agriculture, healthcare, food processing, skills development and green shipping. Officials noted that more than 700 Nordic companies currently operate in India, while roughly 150 Indian firms have a presence in the Nordic region.
Leaders underlined the need to deepen partnerships on green and clean tech and to scale up joint initiatives in the blue economy, including sustainable shipping initiatives linked to India’s Sagarmala and MAHASAGAR programmes. Boosting trade, investment and talent mobility was a further focus: participants emphasized the importance of concluding an India–European Union free trade agreement and implementing commitments under the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
India welcomed Nordic investment and innovation, with the government offering a stable, enabling environment as the country pursues its Viksit Bharat vision to become a developed nation by 2047. On that note, Prime Minister Modi invited Nordic participation in the WAVES Summit to be held in India next year.
The summit also provided a forum for discussion of regional and global issues. Leaders reiterated the need to reform multilateral institutions to reflect contemporary realities and endorsed steps toward a restructured United Nations Security Council; Nordic leaders reaffirmed support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed, expanded UNSC. They strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and agreed to strengthen cooperation to combat terror financing and cross-border terrorism.
Concluding remarks described the India-Nordic partnership as value-based, pragmatic and action-oriented, with an expectation that closer ties will help promote a more peaceful, resilient and sustainable world. The next India-Nordic Summit is scheduled to be hosted in Helsinki, Finland.
