changeadminEarlier this month (May 19th 2026), India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries for the Third Nordic Summit in Oslo, Norway.
The meeting has elevated India-Nordic relations to a Strategic Partnership in Green Technology and Innovation, with a focus on green technologies, clean energy, and sustainable development.
In addition, the summit advanced bilateral trade and investment flows, joint initiatives in climate action, STEM collaboration, the blue economy, education, defence cooperation, and Arctic engagement.
India’s engagement with the Nordic region has evolved beyond traditional diplomacy into a future-oriented strategic partnership. Shared priorities in green growth, clean technologies, innovation, and sustainable development are driving this transformation.
Nordic countries, which include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, bring advanced technological expertise, while India offers scale, markets, talent, and manufacturing capabilities.
Together, the partnership is emerging as a key pillar of India’s green transition, digital expansion, Arctic engagement, and resilient economic growth strategy.
The first India-Nordic Summit was held in 2018, marking the beginning of structured high-level engagement aimed at building a long-term strategic partnership.
It aims to support India’s economic growth, promote sustainable development pathways, strengthen skilling and talent development, and foster a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
India can also leverage Nordic expertise and technology transfers through cooperation in renewable energy and climate action initiatives.
Third Nordic Summit: Future Steps towards a long-term strategic partnership
The Third Nordic Summit saw discussions between India and the Nordic countries, which agreed to transform their relationship into a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership.
The Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership focused on renewable energy, green hydrogen, digital innovation, sustainable manufacturing, and climate action.
The summit also strengthened cooperation in trade, investment, digital innovation, and emerging technologies, including collaboration in the blue economy, maritime cooperation, STEM research, resilient supply chains, and defence partnerships.
They also committed to expanding trade, investment, research collaboration, resilient supply chains, and people-to-people exchanges while supporting a rules-based international order and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Acknowledging the quadrupling of bilateral trade flows over the last decade, a nearly 200% increase in investment inflows, and the positive impact on economic growth in the countries.
Under the initiative, India plans to,
- Collaborate with Iceland in geothermal energy and fisheries,
- Partner with Norway in the blue economy and Arctic cooperation, and
- Engage with Nordic nations in the maritime and sustainability sectors.
Besides this, cooperation in advanced manufacturing, defence, telecom, digital technologies, cyber security, health-tech, research and innovation and Arctic and Polar research was also discussed.
The partnership supports sustainable development while creating opportunities for economic expansion, technological advancement, and job creation in both India and the Nordic region.
The countries also underlined the need for urgent reforms in multilateral institutions and reiterated a united stand against terrorism.
The recent India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) would usher in a “new golden era” in India-Nordic relations.
Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership
The Green Technology and Innovation Strategic partnership will pave the way for the use and adoption of sustainable technologies in future, sustainable growth and management, resource use optimisation, and innovation.
The outcome will positively impact climate change mitigation and the country’s energy security. Besides this, it will also create green jobs, strengthen governance, and enhance trade and investment linkages with Nordic countries.
Collaboration on the sustainable use of water, its recycling, and improved water management will enhance the quality of life and support long-term economic growth.
Collaborative research and education will also provide greater exposure for Indian students, researchers, and faculty and enhance the quality of research.
Initiatives in Climate Action
The initiative in the climate change space is centred on mitigation.
Cooperation in this field will not only help address climate-related challenges but also generate green employment opportunities, enhance bilateral trade, and attract greater investment.
As a result, it will contribute to building a more sustainable economy and support long-term economic growth.
Arctic Collaboration
Alliance with the Nordic nations is an essential component of India’s Arctic Policy.
Climatic changes in the Arctic, especially the melting of Arctic ice, can significantly affect weather conditions and rainfall patterns, including monsoons.
These changes can be highly disruptive to India’s economic, food, and water security, and to the sustainability of over 1,300 island territories and maritime features.
Collaboration in polar research has long-term implications for climate systems, environmental protection, sustainability, and the islands.
Addressing climate change and ensuring a stable Arctic are crucial for safeguarding India’s monsoon patterns, environmental balance, sustainability, and, most importantly, agricultural productivity.
India’s Arctic policy titled ‘India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development’ is structured around six pillars: strengthening the country’s scientific research and cooperation, climate and environmental protection, economic and human development, transportation and connectivity, governance and international cooperation, and national capacity building in the Arctic region.
Cooperation in the Blue Economy
The blue economy focuses on the sustainable use of ocean and marine resources.
India and the Nordic countries’ cooperation in a strong blue economy strengthens economic growth while ensuring sustainability, creating jobs, enhancing trade, and supporting long-term environmental and climate resilience.
It also helps ensure a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region by promoting the sustainable use of ocean resources, strengthening maritime connectivity, and enhancing regional maritime security among partner countries.
Towards a Stronger India and Nordic Partnership
The relationship between India and the Nordic countries is evolving and strengthening steadily. It has been reinforced through several bilateral initiatives in recent years.
The outcomes of the Summit aim to further elevate this partnership into a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership.
The Summit has provided a strong impetus to deepen cooperation in areas such as long-term energy partnerships, climate change mitigation, trade and investment linkages, digital innovation, the blue economy, maritime cooperation, STEM collaborations, and defence.
This growing engagement is further strengthened by the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which is expected to enhance two-way economic relations between India and the Nordic region and promote sustainable economic development.
Beyond initiatives to strengthen economic partnerships, the soft power approach has further deepened and reinforced ties.
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Earlier, India also signed a green strategic partnership with Norway. Read more
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