- India and Sweden elevate ties to strategic partnership status
- The countries aim to double trade and investment within five years
- The agreement expands cooperation in defense, technology and supply chains
India and Sweden have upgraded their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership as Europe seeks deeper economic and strategic ties with India.
The Swedish government said Sunday that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gothenburg, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders endorsed a new joint action plan for 2026 to 2030 and agreed to expand cooperation across multiple strategic sectors, The Times of India reported.
Sweden and India also agreed on a shared goal of doubling bilateral trade and investment within five years, supported by the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement.
What Are the Key Areas of Cooperation?
The upgraded partnership expands collaboration in defense industrial cooperation, supply chain resilience, digital technologies, innovation, space, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, sustainable mobility, life sciences and green transition efforts.
In remarks during a European business roundtable attended by von der Leyen and business executives, Modi said India and Sweden are connected by shared democratic values, innovation and sustainability goals.
The Indian prime minister also emphasized the growing defense relationship between the two countries.
“Our cooperation in the defense sector is continuously expanding,” Modi said. “The establishment of production facilities in India by Swedish companies stands as a testament to the fact that we are moving beyond a mere buyer-seller relationship towards a long-term industrial partnership.”
What Else Happened During the Visit?
During a ceremony in Gothenburg, Swedish Crown Princess Victoria awarded Modi the Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of Sweden’s highest honors granted to foreign leaders, according to The Times of India.
The visit also included bilateral meetings and discussions with European business leaders ahead of the India-Nordic Summit scheduled for May 19 in Oslo.
