India and Sweden have agreed to raise ties to a Strategic Partnership after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The leaders reviewed cooperation on commerce, know-how, defence, safety, and people-to-people hyperlinks, with emphasis on the inexperienced transition and rising know-how akin to AI and well being tech.
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India and Sweden on Sunday determined to boost bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The discussions lined commerce, know-how, defence and different sectors. Modi arrived for a two-day go to. Modi additionally obtained the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Diploma Commander Grand Cross.
Throughout delegation-level talks, each side reviewed the complete vary of relations. They agreed the improve marked a significant step in ties. Modi later spoke at a joint press meet. Ulf Kristersson and European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen additionally attended. Modi outlined areas for future work throughout inexperienced transition, safety and know-how.
India-Sweden Strategic Partnership focus areas
“In mild of our rising cooperation throughout each sector, we’ve determined to raise our relationship to the extent of a Strategic Partnership. On this partnership, we’ll focus and transfer forward on inexperienced transition, safety, rising know-how and people-to-people ties,” PM Modi stated.
Modi stated each international locations noticed sturdy scope in newer industries. “We’ve good potential in sectors like AI, well being tech and inexperienced mobility. Throughout the AI-Influence Summit in India, a delegation from Sweden participated. We’ll work on the Sweden-India know-how and AI hall,” he added.
Modi stated defence cooperation between the international locations was increasing. Swedish corporations establishing manufacturing in India confirmed a shift in engagement. “The institution of manufacturing services in India by Swedish corporations stands as a testomony to the truth that we’re shifting past a mere buyer-seller relationship in direction of a long-term industrial partnership,” he stated.
India-Sweden Strategic Partnership and safety considerations
Modi linked the partnership to wider international pressures. “In todays annoying international scenario, shut cooperation between democracies like India and Sweden holds particular significance. For the decision of assorted tensions and issues, India has at all times emphasised dialogue and diplomacy,” he stated.
Modi stated each side considered terrorism as a shared menace. “I specific my gratitude to Prime Minister Kristersson for the assist we obtained from Sweden following the terrorist assault in Pahalgam final 12 months. We’ll proceed the battle in opposition to terrorism and its supporters,” he added.
Modi stated the connection drew energy from shared governance ideas. “Modi stated the connection between India and Sweden rests upon a robust basis of democratic values, the rule of legislation, and human-centric improvement.Each our nations view innovation as a car for improvement, regard sustainability as a shared duty, and think about democracy to be our best energy…, he added.”
India-Sweden Strategic Partnership in science and inexperienced transition
To hyperlink analysis and startup networks, Modi stated each side deliberate a brand new joint establishment. An India-Sweden Science and Expertise Centre shall be arrange. The intention is to enhance connectivity throughout innovation ecosystems. Modi additionally referred to cooperation below trade transition efforts between the 2 international locations.
Modi stated the Management Group for Business Transition was a joint international effort. The initiative targeted on low-carbon industrial transformation. “In the present day, we’ve determined to embark on its third section,” he stated. He added that India was engaged on Inexperienced Hydrogen, Round Financial system and Sustainable Infrastructure at scale.
“By combining Swedens know-how with Indias scale, we will develop local weather options for your entire world…,” he stated. Modi framed this as sensible cooperation, not solely coverage discuss. The feedback got here alongside discussions on know-how, sustainability and industrial change. Each side additionally checked out areas like inexperienced mobility and innovation.
India-Sweden Strategic Partnership and India-EU FTA context
Modi additionally spoke about India-EU engagement throughout the press meet. He recalled Ursula von der Leyen’s India go to in January. He stated a number of historic selections have been taken to boost India-EU relations. “Progress is being made on all these outcomes,” he stated, referring to follow-up work.
Modi stated the India-EU FTA would open doorways for a number of stakeholders. “The India-EU FTA will unlock new alternatives for industries, traders, and innovators. To cite Ursula, that is the Mom of All Offers…,” he stated. The assertion linked the India-Sweden talks to a wider European framework.
Ministry of Exterior Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated talks lined many sectors. These included commerce and funding, innovation, inexperienced transition and area. The agenda additionally lined rising applied sciences, defence and safety, SMEs, analysis and people-to-people ties. The bilateral commerce reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.
Jaiswal stated each leaders agreed to seek out new alternatives. The hassle was framed throughout the India-EU Strategic Partnership. Jaiswal additionally referred to the just lately concluded India-EU FTA. Kristersson famous India’s progress in digital transformation and Synthetic Intelligence. Kristersson additionally highlighted the Indian neighborhood’s contribution in Sweden.
India-Sweden Strategic Partnership and wider conferences
The leaders shared views on regional and international issues. They underlined the necessity to reform the UN and multilateral our bodies. In addition they agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral boards. Crown Princess Victoria joined the assembly. Crown Princess Victoria conveyed heat needs from the King and Queen of Sweden.
Modi thanked Swedish hosts for the welcome throughout the go to. Modi additionally conveyed needs to King Carl XVI Gustav. The desires marked the King’s eightieth birthday. Earlier, Modi’s plane obtained an escort by Swedish Air Drive jets. Kristersson welcomed Modi on the airport in a particular gesture.
Modi additionally met Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of Maersk, individually. They mentioned funding alternatives in India, Jaiswal stated on X. The talks lined port infrastructure and logistics. Modi famous Maersk’s lengthy presence in India. Modi inspired extra funding in maritime logistics and port infrastructure.
Jaiswal stated the assembly additionally lined inexperienced transport and expert mobility. The dialogue was a part of broader enterprise engagement throughout the go to. Modi had visited Sweden earlier in 2018. That journey included the primary India-Nordic Summit. The present go to included outreach to the Indian diaspora as effectively.
Quickly after arriving in Gothenburg, Modi met members of the Indian diaspora. The welcome included music and dance performances. Swedish opera singer Charlotta Huldt sang Vaishnava Jana To bhajan. College students of Lilla Akademien carried out Bharatanatyam. Bengali tradition was additionally showcased throughout the reception with Kristersson current.
“Bengali tradition is in style world over and Sweden is not any exception,” Modi stated on social media. The go to mixed official talks with neighborhood engagement. The Strategic Partnership choice remained the central consequence. Each side stated the brand new framework would information cooperation throughout key sectors.
With inputs from PTI
