Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadottir, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for the high-level dialogue. Modi’s participation also marked the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years, since the visit of Indira Gandhi in 1983.
The summit takes place in the backdrop of evolving global pressures, including the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war, United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs on global imports, and the United States–Israel conflict involving Iran, all of which have impacted India’s economic stability and energy security. Against this backdrop, New Delhi is actively seeking to diversify its strategic partnerships across Western economies.
The first India–Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm in 2018, followed by Copenhagen in 2022, making the Oslo meeting the third edition of the expanding multilateral platform.
Strategic Agenda Focused on Trade, Energy, and Security
The summit agenda spans trade expansion, climate change, energy security, and major geopolitical developments, particularly the war in Ukraine and broader instability in the Middle East. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, discussions aim to “impart a more strategic dimension” to India’s engagement with Nordic countries, with emphasis on technology, innovation, green transition, renewable energy, sustainability, blue economy, defence cooperation, space collaboration, and Arctic engagement.
Bilateral trade between India and Nordic nations reached 19 billion US dollars in 2024. Established Nordic companies including Nokia of Finland and Sweden’s Volvo and IKEA maintain significant operational footprints in India. Meanwhile, Indian shipyards are currently constructing vessels that account for approximately 11 percent of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association’s order book.
Officials noted that ongoing trade agreements, including the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement and the India–European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement covering Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, are expected to reinforce resilient supply chains. The latter includes commitments for 100 billion US dollars in foreign direct investment into India over 15 years, with the potential to generate up to one million jobs and strengthen “Make in India” manufacturing flows.
Shairee Malhotra, deputy director at the Observer Research Foundation, stated that India aims to leverage Nordic expertise across multiple sectors. Iceland is known for geothermal energy capabilities, Norway for its blue economy and maritime strengths, and Sweden for industrial and defence innovation. She added that the Nordic region, with a combined gross domestic product of approximately 2 trillion US dollars, is a global leader in digital innovation, sustainability, clean energy, climate solutions, and maritime technologies aligned with India’s development priorities.
Malhotra further noted that energy security concerns linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Iran conflict are expected to feature prominently in discussions, as both Europe and India face related economic vulnerabilities.
Arctic Cooperation and Strategic Interests
India’s engagement with the Arctic region, despite lacking direct geographical access, remains a key area of interest. Since signing the Svalbard Treaty in 1920, India has had access rights in the Norwegian-administered archipelago, including opportunities for scientific research, fishing, mining, and commercial activities under Norwegian sovereignty.
India expanded its Arctic presence through a 2007 scientific expedition, the establishment of the Himadri research station in 2008, and the deployment of the IndARC underwater observatory in 2014 in the Kongsfjorden fjord at depths of 180 to 192 metres. This facility studies Arctic climate change and its influence on the Indian monsoon system.
India became an observer in the Arctic Council in 2013 and released its Arctic policy in 2022, focusing on scientific cooperation, environmental protection, economic development, connectivity, governance, and capacity building. The Arctic is also described in policy documents as a space of strategic competition, with increasing geopolitical interest from global powers.
At the summit, India is expected to pursue the establishment of a dedicated India–Nordic Arctic cooperation mechanism, reflecting shared membership of Nordic countries in the Arctic Council. However, analysts suggest that formal binding outcomes may remain limited, as Arctic discussions are generally managed within established multilateral frameworks.
Russia Factor and Geopolitical Differences
The Russia–Ukraine war remains a sensitive issue between India and Nordic countries, with the latter strongly condemning Moscow’s actions. India, while calling for an end to hostilities, has avoided direct condemnation and has continued maintaining strategic relations with Russia, including substantial energy imports at discounted rates during the conflict period.
However, following additional tariffs imposed by the United States linked to Russian oil imports, India has accelerated diversification of its energy sources. Officials from both sides acknowledged differences but emphasized that shared interests outweigh divergences in the broader India–Nordic relationship.
European Engagement and Wider Diplomatic Tour
Prior to the Oslo summit, Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Støre, during which relations were upgraded to a “Green Strategic Partnership” focusing on clean energy cooperation and investment.
Modi also visited Sweden, where discussions centered on doubling bilateral trade and investment within five years. In the Netherlands, India’s Tata Electronics signed an agreement with Dutch technology firm ASML to establish a semiconductor manufacturing facility in western India.
During the Netherlands visit, Dutch leadership raised concerns regarding press freedom and minority rights in India, concerns which Indian officials attributed to a lack of understanding of India’s societal framework.
Following the Nordic engagements, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Italy for discussions with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome.
The India–Nordic Summit in Oslo represents a strategic convergence of economic ambition, technological cooperation, and geopolitical recalibration. As global supply chains realign and energy security concerns intensify, both India and the Nordic region are positioning themselves for deeper collaboration across green energy, innovation, maritime industries, and Arctic governance, marking a significant expansion of India’s engagement with advanced European economies.
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