New Delhi, May 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson held a significant meeting in Gothenburg, marking an important step in India-Sweden relations. During their discussions, both leaders agreed to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership, enhance cooperation across various sectors, and collaborate on global issues.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on social media platform ‘X’, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in bilateral talks with Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Gothenburg. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden also attended the meeting, conveying best wishes from the King and Queen of Sweden.”
Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for the warm welcome in Sweden and extended birthday wishes to King Carl Gustaf on his 80th birthday.
The Ministry reported that both leaders reviewed all aspects of India-Sweden relations and agreed to elevate them to the level of a “strategic partnership.” This is considered a major and significant step in the relationship between the two countries.
The leaders discussed strengthening trade and investment, technology and innovation, green transition, space, emerging technologies, defense and security, small and medium enterprises, research, and enhancing people-to-people connections.
They also agreed to identify new opportunities under the India-European Union (EU) strategic partnership and the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to benefit both nations’ citizens.
According to Jaiswal, Prime Minister Kristersson praised India’s progress in digital transformation and artificial intelligence. He acknowledged the positive contributions of the Indian community in Sweden. Prime Minister Modi invited Sweden to participate more actively in India’s development journey.
The Ministry emphasized that discussions also focused on strengthening reliable supply chains, green transitions, sustainable transport, life sciences, and enhancing cooperation in digital technologies.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s rapid economic growth, driven by reforms, strong domestic demand, digital public infrastructure, manufacturing expansion, and modern infrastructure development. He invited Swedish companies to invest and expand in India, mentioning initiatives like “Make in India,” the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the National Critical Mineral Mission, along with growing opportunities in clean energy, defense, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing.
The Ministry noted that the India-Sweden relationship now extends beyond economic cooperation; it has evolved into a partnership for ideas, technology, innovation, and collaborative solutions. They appreciated the long-standing contributions of Swedish companies to India’s development and urged them to engage more deeply in research, innovation, green transition, and manufacturing.
Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, emphasizing the need for reforms in the United Nations (UN) and other multilateral institutions, and agreed to enhance cooperation on international platforms.
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