India and the Nordic nations have agreed to elevate their relationship to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership, marking a significant step towards enhanced collaboration in clean energy and sustainable technologies. The decision was reached during Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s discussions with his Nordic counterparts in Oslo on Tuesday, focusing on key areas such as innovation and emerging technologies.
The 3rd India-Nordic Summit in Oslo culminated in a joint press statement where Prime Minister Modi emphasized the unified stance of India and the Nordic nations on terrorism, stating a firm position of “no compromise, no double standards.” Modi also highlighted the commitment to strengthening the rules-based global order amidst global tensions and conflicts, underscoring the importance of working together to resolve conflicts and promote peace in regions such as Ukraine and West Asia.
As per information available with TahirRihat.com, the summit underscored the shared democratic values, rule of law, and commitment to multilateralism between India and the Nordic countries, which Prime Minister Modi believes makes them natural partners. The leaders present at the summit included Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed the decision to elevate India-Nordic relations to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership, emphasizing the potential for a better future for the world through this collaboration. He noted that the partnership, established eight years prior, aims to energize and accelerate India’s relations with the Nordic countries by combining innovation, scale, and talent.
The Prime Minister’s office highlighted the expanding scope and growing strength of India’s partnership with the Nordic region, noting discussions on cooperation in sustainability, innovation, clean energy, and emerging technologies. The leaders also addressed the necessary and urgent reform of multilateral institutions, as per Prime Minister Modi.
The discussions centered on sustainability, innovation, clean energy, emerging technologies, and strengthening cooperation for a peaceful and prosperous future. Prime Minister Modi stated that India and the Nordic countries are united by shared democratic values, trust, and a common commitment towards human-centric development.
Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the exceptional progress made in recent years, emphasizing the growth of trade ties and the deepening of investment linkages. Investment funds from Nordic countries are increasingly becoming important partners in India’s rapid growth. Over the past decade, investments from Nordic countries to India have increased by nearly 200 percent.
Modi stated that the surge in trade and investment has contributed significantly to India’s growth story and has also positively impacted the Nordic economies, leading to the creation of thousands of new jobs. Both sides have initiated important steps to advance the relationship, including the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with Norway, Iceland, and other EFTA countries, as well as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, involving Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.
(Daily Excelsior reported that Prime Minister Modi said, “With these ambitious trade agreements, we are ushering in a new golden era in relations between India and the Nordic countries.”). An essential aspect of the India-Nordic partnership is robust research and innovation ties. Both sides plan to enhance connections between universities, labs, and start-up ecosystems to strengthen this collaboration.
Cooperation in Arctic and polar research will be deepened, ensuring new opportunities for skill development and talent mobility between India and the Nordic countries. Prime Minister Modi pointed out the close connection between India and the Nordic nations, stating that the term “relationship” signifies connection, relations, or a bond in many Nordic languages, mirroring its meaning in Hindi, reflecting the closeness of their thoughts.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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