India’s Nordic Connection

Why It Matters

The summit formalises deeper strategic and economic ties that can accelerate trade, clean‑technology and maritime cooperation while aligning like‑minded countries on global governance and Indo‑Pacific security. For Norway and Nordic firms, the accords and TEPA open a larger, fast‑growing Indian market and new avenues for exports and investment.

Summary

India hosted the third India–Nordic Summit in Oslo, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the first official visit to Norway by an Indian premier in over four decades and leaders signed pacts on climate, technology, science and the blue economy. The meeting underscored growing India–Nordic cooperation across trade, green energy, maritime affairs, the Arctic and Indo‑Pacific security. Norway emphasised the historic significance given India’s rise to the world’s most populous and one of its fastest‑growing major economies, and pointed to new business opportunities after the EFTA–India Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) entered into force. Norwegian officials highlighted energy, green tech and maritime industries as priority sectors where bilateral commerce could expand rapidly.

Original Description

India’s relations with Europe are often viewed through the lens of Brussels, Paris, Berlin, or London. But in recent years, India has also been deepening its ties with another important set of partners: the Nordic countries.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Oslo for the third India-Nordic Summit, bringing together India and the five Nordic countries—Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark.

The agenda for the six countries was wide-ranging, covering trade, investment, green technology, maritime cooperation, the Arctic, and the Indo-Pacific.

The visit also marked the first official trip by an Indian prime minister to Norway in more than four decades. As a result of the summit, Norway and India have elevated their bilateral relationship with new agreements on climate, technology, science, and the blue economy.

To discuss what all of this means for India, Norway, and the changing global order, Milan is joined this week by May-Elin Stener, who serves as Ambassador of Norway to India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives.

Prior to taking up this position, Ambassador Stener was the Deputy Director General of the Regional department in the foreign ministry. She has served as Norway’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York as well as Deputy Head of the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. She has been a member of the Norwegian Foreign Service since 1995.

Milan and Ambassador Stener discuss the outcomes of the India-Nordic summit, the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), and the green technology partnership Norway envisions with India. Plus, the two discussed linkages between the Arctic and the Indo-Pacific and the controversy over a Norwegian journalist’s questioning of Indian officials in Oslo.

Episode notes:

• Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, “India-Norway Joint Statement,” May 18, 2026.

• Government of Sweden, “Joint Statement: 3rd India-Nordic Summit, Oslo, 19 May 2026,” May 19, 2026.

• Priyanka Shankar, “India-Nordic summit: Why is Modi wooing Northern Europe?” Al Jazeera, May 19, 2026.

• “The India-Nordic Summit: What It Is and What Has Now Been Set in Motion,” India’s World, May 20, 2026.

• Suhasini Haidar, “Commitment to democracy makes India, Nordic nations natural partners: Modi,” Hindu, May 20, 2026.

Like and subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/38sljlH

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace generates strategic ideas and independent analysis, supports diplomacy, and trains the next generation of international scholar-practitioners to help countries and institutions take on the most difficult global problems and advance peace.

Visit our website: https://carnegieendowment.org/

Follow us on X: https://x.com/CarnegieEndow

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carnegieendow/