Nordic-Indian Relations Upgraded, Aiming for Increased Cooperation in Green Tech, Innovation, and Strategy
The 3rd Nordic-Indian Summit was held in Norway on May 19th, where the prime ministers of the five Nordic countries and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed issues including trade, energy, and geopolitics. Facing global instability, the parties agreed to deepen cooperation and elevate their relationship to encompass green technology, innovation, and strategic collaboration through trade agreements with the EU and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). PM Modi hailed this as the beginning of a "golden era" in bilateral relations.
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The 3rd Nordic-Indian Summit was held in Norway on the 19th, where the prime ministers of the five Nordic countries and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed issues such as trade, energy, climate change, and geopolitics. Through trade agreements with the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), they aim to deepen bilateral cooperation and increase collaboration in areas like green technology, innovation, and even strategy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Norway on the 18th and attended the 3rd Nordic-Indian Summit in Oslo on the 19th. Norwegian Prime Minister Støre, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo all attended the meeting in person.
During the meeting, the five Nordic countries and India discussed important topics including the green transition, digitalization, innovation, and trade cooperation. They also deepened political dialogue on global security issues and geopolitical challenges, and explored possibilities for increasing bilateral economic cooperation.
At a joint press conference on the 19th, as reported by a CNA reporter via online interview, Prime Minister Støre stated that the summit demonstrates what is most needed in an unstable world: more cooperation among democratic nations, regardless of their geographical location, size, or historical differences. He added that the countries also discussed the need to rebuild and advance a world order based on international law, seeking a just peace for Ukraine and resolving the Middle East war through diplomatic means.
Prime Minister Modi stated that shared democratic values, the rule of law, and multilateralism make India and the Nordic countries natural partners. Furthermore, their shared focus on issues like technology and sustainability creates immense possibilities for bilateral cooperation. He noted that in recent years, there has been significant progress in cooperation across various fields. Nordic investment has contributed to India's economic growth and created many jobs. He said that through the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA, India can have more economic cooperation with Iceland and Norway. Similarly, through a free trade agreement with the EU, India can increase trade with Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, heralding a golden era for Nordic-Indian relations.
Modi emphasized that the relationship between India and the Nordic countries has been upgraded to a partnership in green technology, innovation, and strategy. He believes that the combination of Nordic expertise in green tech, innovative technologies, and military capabilities, coupled with India's scale and R&D talent, will benefit the entire world.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen remarked that countries are currently discussing how middle powers can cooperate. Although the Nordic countries are small, she believes that by uniting, they can become a middle power and cooperate with a major power like India based on clear values and principles, bringing stability, prosperity, and unity to a rapidly changing world.
Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir expressed that people need hope and expect mutual respect between nations, creating a more open, not closed, world through dialogue and trade. She praised Modi, as the leader of the world's largest democracy, for his focus on climate change and his view of it as an opportunity for progress.
Prior to the summit, Modi visited Sweden and signed a strategic partnership agreement, deepening cooperation in security issues, digital development, green energy, and space. This agreement is expected to create 23,000 jobs in Sweden, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson calling it a significant milestone in their relationship.
Amid factors such as Russia's war against Ukraine, the impact of US tariffs, and turmoil in the Middle East, Nordic countries are actively deepening cooperation with other major democracies. In March of this year, the five Nordic prime ministers and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a joint statement in Oslo to deepen cooperation in regional security, resilience, and green energy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Norway on the 18th and attended the 3rd Nordic-Indian Summit in Oslo on the 19th. Norwegian Prime Minister Støre, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir, and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo all attended the meeting in person.
During the meeting, the five Nordic countries and India discussed important topics including the green transition, digitalization, innovation, and trade cooperation. They also deepened political dialogue on global security issues and geopolitical challenges, and explored possibilities for increasing bilateral economic cooperation.
At a joint press conference on the 19th, as reported by a CNA reporter via online interview, Prime Minister Støre stated that the summit demonstrates what is most needed in an unstable world: more cooperation among democratic nations, regardless of their geographical location, size, or historical differences. He added that the countries also discussed the need to rebuild and advance a world order based on international law, seeking a just peace for Ukraine and resolving the Middle East war through diplomatic means.
Prime Minister Modi stated that shared democratic values, the rule of law, and multilateralism make India and the Nordic countries natural partners. Furthermore, their shared focus on issues like technology and sustainability creates immense possibilities for bilateral cooperation. He noted that in recent years, there has been significant progress in cooperation across various fields. Nordic investment has contributed to India's economic growth and created many jobs. He said that through the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA, India can have more economic cooperation with Iceland and Norway. Similarly, through a free trade agreement with the EU, India can increase trade with Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, heralding a golden era for Nordic-Indian relations.
Modi emphasized that the relationship between India and the Nordic countries has been upgraded to a partnership in green technology, innovation, and strategy. He believes that the combination of Nordic expertise in green tech, innovative technologies, and military capabilities, coupled with India's scale and R&D talent, will benefit the entire world.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen remarked that countries are currently discussing how middle powers can cooperate. Although the Nordic countries are small, she believes that by uniting, they can become a middle power and cooperate with a major power like India based on clear values and principles, bringing stability, prosperity, and unity to a rapidly changing world.
Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir expressed that people need hope and expect mutual respect between nations, creating a more open, not closed, world through dialogue and trade. She praised Modi, as the leader of the world's largest democracy, for his focus on climate change and his view of it as an opportunity for progress.
Prior to the summit, Modi visited Sweden and signed a strategic partnership agreement, deepening cooperation in security issues, digital development, green energy, and space. This agreement is expected to create 23,000 jobs in Sweden, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson calling it a significant milestone in their relationship.
Amid factors such as Russia's war against Ukraine, the impact of US tariffs, and turmoil in the Middle East, Nordic countries are actively deepening cooperation with other major democracies. In March of this year, the five Nordic prime ministers and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a joint statement in Oslo to deepen cooperation in regional security, resilience, and green energy.