Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday (local time) held a bilateral meeting with Iceland Premier Kristrun Mjoll Frostadottir ahead of the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, Norway.
PM Modi is scheduled to participate in the summit alongside his counterparts from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden.
The summit aims to further strengthen India’s engagement with the Nordic countries and build upon the frameworks established during the previous India-Nordic Summits held in Stockholm in 2018 and Copenhagen in 2022.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi said India and Norway had elevated their bilateral relationship to a “green strategic partnership” following talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister described the discussions as “fruitful conversations” and said cooperation in clean and sustainable sectors emerged as a major outcome of the meeting.
“One of the most important highlights was the upgrading of our bilateral partnership to a green strategic partnership, which will strengthen cooperation within clean energy, sustainable growth, the blue economy and green shipping, as well as several other areas,” PM Modi said.
India, Norway sign 12 agreements during PM Modi’s visit
He added that both countries also explored ways to deepen collaboration in “innovation, research, education, health services and skills development”.
PM Modi also welcomed Norway’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
“It is gratifying to see Norway join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” he said.
On Monday, India and Norway signed 12 agreements and initiatives during PM Modi’s official visit to the Nordic country, marking a major expansion of cooperation in climate, technology, maritime affairs and scientific research.
Both countries also agreed to elevate ties to a Green Strategic Partnership, highlighting their shared commitment to sustainable development, clean energy transition and green industrial growth.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, a Joint Statement was adopted focusing on climate action, circular economy initiatives, and leveraging Norwegian technological expertise along with India’s manufacturing capabilities and scale.
Blue economy, digital infrastructure, and space ties in focus during PM Modi`s visit
Among the major developments, Norway formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, strengthening maritime cooperation and reaffirming support for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
India will also participate in Nor-Shipping 2027 with a dedicated India Pavilion to boost cooperation in the blue economy, including shipbuilding, green shipping technologies and modern port infrastructure.
In the space sector, both countries signed an agreement on the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, aimed at enhancing institutional cooperation between space agencies and encouraging investments in the sector.
A key outcome of the visit was the launch of the India-Norway Digital Development Partnership, which seeks to enhance collaboration on digital public infrastructure, digital public goods and open digital ecosystems.
The initiative is expected to support India’s Digital India mission and facilitate DPI-led transformation in countries of the Global South in partnership with Norway.
PM Modi is currently in Norway as part of the fourth leg of his five-nation tour. He arrived in Oslo after visiting the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands and Sweden.
(With ANI inputs)