PTI, Gothenburg — Updated May 18, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Oslo on Monday after completing a two-day visit to Sweden, where New Delhi and Stockholm agreed to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership and identified new areas for cooperation.
The trip marks Modi’s first-ever visit to Norway and the first time an Indian prime minister has gone to the Nordic country in 43 years. He leaves Sweden following meetings with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson that covered trade, technology, defence and a broad range of bilateral issues.
Both leaders reviewed the full scope of India-Sweden relations and formalised the move to a Strategic Partnership. Modi said the visit produced several outcomes that will “add new momentum” to ties, including the launch of Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0 and the India-Sweden Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor, and an ambition to double bilateral trade over the next five years.
On Sunday, Sweden conferred on Modi the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, honoring his contributions to the India-Sweden relationship. He also addressed the European Round Table for Industry, urging Swedish companies to expand investments in manufacturing, green hydrogen, clean energy and other sectors as India’s reform agenda accelerates.
Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached about USD 7.75 billion in 2025. Modi’s visit to Sweden is part of a broader European tour that includes the Netherlands, Norway and Italy, aimed at strengthening cooperation across strategic and economic areas.
In Oslo, Modi will take part in the third India-Nordic summit alongside leaders from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. The summit is scheduled for Tuesday and is expected to focus on regional cooperation, trade and innovation.
During his two-day stay in Norway, the prime minister will meet the country’s leadership, hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and call on King Harald V and Queen Sonja. He will also co-address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit with the Norwegian prime minister.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has said the Norway leg of the trip is an opportunity to “induce momentum” in bilateral trade and cooperation; trade between India and Norway was roughly USD 2.73 billion in 2024.
The visits to Sweden and Norway underscore New Delhi’s push to deepen ties with Nordic partners across technology, defence, clean energy and industrial collaboration.
