Oslo, May 19 — At the conclusion of the 3rd India‑Nordic Summit in Norway’s capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a growing strategic convergence between India and the five Nordic countries on international security, global governance and economic cooperation. Speaking at a joint press interaction, he said New Delhi and the Nordic partners share a firm, unified position against terrorism and a commitment to a rules‑based global order.
Modi said both sides support the earliest resolution of conflicts and efforts toward peace in Ukraine and West Asia, and described the Nordic nations as natural partners whose ties with India rest on democracy, the rule of law and multilateralism. He also called for urgent and necessary reforms of multilateral institutions to reflect current global realities.
On the environment and technology front, India and the Nordic states launched a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership. The pact commits the partners to deeper collaboration in clean energy, environmental sustainability, digital innovation and emerging technologies. Modi said the initiative will pair innovation with scale and talent to promote sustainable development and trusted technologies, and that elevating relations through this green partnership will benefit the wider world.
Leaders from Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden attended the summit, which the Prime Minister’s Office said underscores the expanding scope and strength of India’s engagement in the region. Economic ties were prominent on the agenda: Modi noted that Nordic investment into India has nearly tripled over the past decade and that bilateral trade and investment are creating jobs and driving growth on both sides.
He highlighted the India‑EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement involving Norway and Iceland, as well as ongoing negotiations for an India‑EU free trade agreement that would cover Denmark, Finland and Sweden, calling these deals a step toward a new golden era in India‑Nordic relations.
On the sidelines, Modi held separate bilateral talks with Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Discussions focused on renewable energy, digitalization, artificial intelligence, 5G and 6G networks, geothermal energy, Arctic research cooperation and mobility partnerships. Modi praised Iceland for its expertise in the blue economy and geothermal energy.
Adding a cultural note, he pointed out a linguistic similarity between Hindi and certain Nordic words for ‘relationship,’ saying the resemblance reflects a closeness of thought between the peoples.
(This article is based on a syndicated feed.)
