Gothenburg, May 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a tour of five countries, with Sweden being his next destination after the Netherlands. Preparations are in full swing to welcome him in Sweden. Meanwhile, Anurag Bhushan, India’s Ambassador to Sweden, stated that Modi’s visit is crucial for strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing cooperation, and deepening connections between the people of both nations.
In an interview, Bhushan expressed that the Indian community in Sweden is very excited about this visit, which is expected to boost cultural and diplomatic engagement. He noted, “The Prime Minister will arrive today at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. He will certainly engage in bilateral consultations with Kristersson and his leadership team. Following that, he will also meet with the Swedish business community and address members of the European Roundtable of Industry, a group comprising top European companies.”
When asked about the significance of this visit for both countries, Bhushan emphasized, “This is a very important visit. It is the Prime Minister’s second visit; he first came in 2018. This time is particularly significant as it is taking place in Gothenburg, marking the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to this beautiful city, founded in 1620. Gothenburg has become a hub for technology, industry, and innovation in Sweden, and it is home to a large Indian community. Overall, this visit is crucial, especially in the context of India completing its free trade agreement with the European Union, as well as two important FTAs, one with EFTA countries and the other with the UK.”
Regarding the future of India-Sweden relations, Bhushan highlighted the long-standing and diversified relationship between the two nations. “Our economic partnership is robust, with over 300 Swedish companies operating in India, providing jobs to 400,000 people. Additionally, 75 Indian companies are active in Sweden. Therefore, our economic collaboration is vibrant and dynamic. We expect that the Prime Minister’s engagement with Swedish and European CEOs will create more opportunities for collaboration between Indian, Swedish, and European industries. Sweden is also known for its innovation and sustainability, which are central pillars of our cooperation.”
He added, “We anticipate numerous opportunities for development in this direction. Earlier this year, during the AI Impact Summit, we observed increased vibrancy, with over 80 Swedish companies participating, marking the second-largest delegation. This included not only large corporations but also startups and mid-sized companies. We hope to see enhanced collaboration in advanced manufacturing, green technology, circular economy, and renewable energy following this visit.”
When asked about the importance of Modi’s visit in strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in innovation, green technology, and sustainable development, Bhushan remarked, “When the Prime Minister visited in 2018, we initiated our innovation-based relationship. Innovation, sustainability, green tech, and circular economy have become key themes of our partnership. Sweden is a global leader in innovation and sustainability, with renowned companies that have developed technologies and practices around these themes.”
On the other hand, India offers a market that provides scale and space for Swedish companies to operate. “I hope this visit will encourage the Swedish industry to take India more seriously and explore possibilities arising from our policies, such as Startup India, Digital India, and Smart Cities,” he concluded.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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