A warm welcome in Oslo
India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oslo after completing a two-day visit to Sweden, continuing his five-nation diplomatic tour that began in the United Arab Emirates. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store personally received him on arrival, underscoring the importance both countries attached to the visit. The trip marked a historic milestone. It was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in more than four decades and Mr Modi’s first visit to the Nordic nation. Upon landing in Oslo, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome featuring a guard of honour and cultural performances that showcased Norway’s warmth and hospitality. The visit focused on expanding cooperation in trade, energy, technology, maritime affairs and global development while also strengthening India’s engagement with the Nordic region.
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Connecting with the Indian diaspora
One of the first highlights of the visit was Prime Minister Modi’s interaction with members of the Indian community in Norway. He received an enthusiastic welcome from the diaspora, which forms part of the nearly 175,000 Indians living across the Nordic countries. The event featured vibrant cultural performances celebrating India’s heritage and its growing connection with Nordic societies. During the programme, Modi attended “Saath Saath,” a musical presentation that blended Indian and Western classical traditions. He praised the performance as a symbol of cultural harmony and cooperation.
The Prime Minister also appreciated the efforts of Oslo’s Barratt Due Music Institute for promoting artistic collaboration between the two regions. Another major attraction was a Bharatanatyam presentation by the Natiyalaya Dance School. Modi commended the institution for preserving and promoting Indian cultural traditions in Norway for almost three decades. The dancers performed “Alarippu,” a traditional Bharatanatyam piece that received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Key bilateral talks
Prime Minister Modi held extensive discussions with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store covering a wide range of strategic and economic issues. The leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, maritime industries, green technology, digital innovation and the blue economy. Both sides expressed confidence that economic ties would grow significantly in the coming years. During the joint media interaction, Modi said India and Europe were entering a new era of economic cooperation, supported by stronger trade frameworks and growing business partnerships.
The two leaders also discussed global concerns related to food, fuel and fertiliser security. Modi highlighted the role played by Norwegian companies in India’s development. He pointed to investments by Orkla in the food sector, Equinor’s contributions to LPG and LNG supplies, and Yara’s long-standing partnership in fertiliser production. A significant outcome of the talks was the conclusion of a Triangular Development Cooperation Agreement. The arrangement is intended to enable India and Norway to jointly support development initiatives in other parts of the world.
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Strengthening maritime cooperation
Maritime collaboration emerged as one of the most important pillars of the visit. Prime Minister Modi announced that Norway would join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, opening a new chapter in cooperation between the two maritime nations. Both countries agreed to work more closely in areas such as marine economy, maritime security, sustainable ocean management and capacity building. Modi described Norway as an example of how economic progress can coexist with environmental protection.
Modi also extended greetings to the Norwegian people ahead of their Constitution Day celebrations, praising Norway as a strong democratic nation. Shipbuilding and maritime services received special attention during discussions. India’s growing shipbuilding capabilities and Norway’s maritime expertise were identified as natural areas for collaboration. Cochin Shipyard’s ongoing work on environmentally friendly vessels for Norway was highlighted as a successful example of the partnership. Indian shipyards are also increasingly contributing to Norwegian maritime projects.
Expanding economic and investment ties
Economic cooperation was another major focus of the visit. Norwegian leaders highlighted opportunities for investment and innovation in sectors such as renewable energy, green technology, seafood, maritime services and advanced manufacturing. Particular attention was given to Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. With substantial investments already present in Indian markets, both sides explored possibilities for increasing Norwegian participation in India’s infrastructure, manufacturing and clean-energy sectors. Officials from both countries stressed that growing economic cooperation could generate jobs, drive innovation and create long-term opportunities for businesses.
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Green Strategic Partnership launched
A landmark achievement of the visit was the elevation of bilateral relations to a Green Strategic Partnership. The new framework aims to deepen cooperation in clean energy, climate action, sustainable development, technology and innovation. Both leaders described the initiative as a future-oriented partnership that aligns with global efforts to address environmental and developmental challenges. Prime Minister Modi said the partnership would benefit not only India and Norway but also contribute to broader global sustainability goals. Prime Minister Store noted that the framework would facilitate knowledge sharing, technology transfer and collaboration in green industries. It is expected to become a cornerstone of future India-Norway relations.
India-Nordic Summit
The visit also included Prime Minister Modi’s participation in the Third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo. Leaders from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark joined discussions on trade, technology, energy, innovation, climate action and sustainable development. The summit revived an important platform for engagement after the previous edition was cancelled due to last year’s Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. A major economic backdrop to the discussions was the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association, which includes Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
The agreement is expected to facilitate investments worth up to 100 billion dollars and create substantial employment opportunities over the next fifteen years. Nordic leaders expressed confidence in India’s economic growth trajectory and encouraged greater cooperation in technology, healthcare, port development and innovation-driven industries. Cities such as Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam were highlighted as promising centres for future collaboration. The Nordic countries also reiterated their support for India’s aspiration to secure permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
Meeting with King Harald V
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi met King Harald V of Norway at the Royal Palace in Oslo. The discussions focused on India’s economic transformation, emerging investment opportunities and growing cooperation in technology and innovation. King Harald hosted a special luncheon in honour of the Prime Minister. The interaction reflected the warmth and mutual respect that characterize relations between the two countries. Both sides also discussed opportunities for expanding business partnerships and encouraging greater collaboration between Indian and Norwegian companies.
Norway’s highest honour for Modi
One of the most significant moments of the visit came when Norway conferred its highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, on Prime Minister Modi. The award recognized his contribution to strengthening international relations and advancing cooperation between India and Norway. Accepting the honour, Modi expressed gratitude to King Harald V and the people of Norway. He dedicated the recognition to the enduring friendship between the two nations and described it as a tribute to the trust, goodwill and affection shared by their people. The award became the 32nd international honour received by the Prime Minister.
India-Norway Business and Research Summit
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the India-Norway Business and Research Summit in Oslo. The event brought together government representatives, researchers, industry experts and business leaders from both countries. More than fifty chief executives and over 250 participants attended the summit. Addressing the gathering, Modi highlighted India’s growing role as a global economic powerhouse and invited Norwegian companies to expand their presence in the country. He identified clean energy, healthcare, manufacturing, nutrition and technology as promising sectors for future investment.
Modi also encouraged Norway’s sovereign wealth fund to become a stronger partner in India’s green-energy transition. The Prime Minister described the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement as a unique arrangement built on talent, technology and trust. He noted that cooperation between India and Norway was already visible across sectors, including energy, food processing and fertilizers. Business leaders welcomed the opportunities created by India’s rapid growth and expanding market.
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Major outcomes and agreements signed
The visit produced a wide range of concrete outcomes and agreements aimed at deepening cooperation across multiple sectors. The key outcomes included:
- Elevation of India-Norway relations to a Green Strategic Partnership.
- Norway joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
- India’s participation in Nor Shipping 2027.
- Signing of a space cooperation agreement.
- Launch of a Digital Development Partnership.
- Signing of a healthcare cooperation pact.
- Agreement on tunnel and slope stability cooperation.
- Technology cooperation agreement.
- Collaboration agreement between CSIR and SINTEF.
- Ocean energy programme implementation agreement.
- Green Shift Science and Innovation cooperation agreement.
- Partnership between CSIR-NGRI and Emerald Geomodelling in geoscience research.
In addition, India and Norway signed agreements covering climate action, maritime affairs, healthcare, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, science, technology and innovation.
A relationship built over decades
India and Norway established diplomatic relations in 1947, soon after India gained independence. Since then, the partnership has steadily expanded across areas such as maritime cooperation, renewable energy, technology, trade and sustainable development. The two countries share common values, including democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Norway’s expertise in green technologies and maritime industries complements India’s economic ambitions, creating strong foundations for future cooperation. As global priorities increasingly focus on sustainability, innovation and climate action, the relationship has gained new strategic importance.
Concluding the visit
Prime Minister Modi concluded his Norway visit after participating in the India-Nordic Summit and departed for Rome for the next leg of his international tour. Describing the visit as highly productive, he said discussions with Norwegian leaders and Nordic counterparts resulted in several decisions aimed at expanding cooperation across a broad range of sectors. He thanked the government and people of Norway for their hospitality and reaffirmed India’s commitment to working closely with Nordic nations in areas such as trade, investment, climate action, innovation, sustainable development and Arctic cooperation.
A major outcome of the broader Nordic engagement was the decision to advance a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership, combining innovation, talent and technological expertise to address future challenges. The visit not only strengthened India’s ties with Norway but also reinforced its growing engagement with the wider Nordic region. Through new agreements, enhanced strategic cooperation and expanding economic partnerships, the visit laid the foundation for a deeper and more ambitious relationship in the years ahead.
