Gothenburg, May 18: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sweden, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued a joint statement. The ministry highlighted the long-standing friendship and broad bilateral cooperation between India and Sweden. Both Prime Ministers agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to the level of ‘strategic partnership.’
The statement noted that PM Modi officially visited Gothenburg on Sunday at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The two leaders emphasized the significance of the historic India-EU summit held on January 27 in New Delhi, which focused on a comprehensive strategic agenda towards 2030, the conclusion of the India-EU free trade agreement, and the importance of a broad cooperation framework on mobility.
According to the ministry, the strategic partnership between the two nations is based on four pillars: strategic dialogue for stability and security, economic partnership, emerging technologies and reliable connectivity, and ‘Shaping Tomorrow Together’ (people, planet, and resilience).
The statement also mentioned that both countries approved an ‘Advanced Joint Action Plan 2026–2030’ to implement their strategic partnership. The leaders agreed to strengthen dialogue at political, diplomatic, and defense levels, including exchanges between their national security advisors and respective offices.
Additionally, the Prime Ministers acknowledged the importance of economic security and the security of supply chains. They announced a shared goal to double bilateral economic exchanges (trade and investment) within five years, which includes efforts through the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Made in Sweden’ initiatives.
The Ministry of External Affairs recognized the crucial role of the India-Sweden Business Leaders Roundtable (ISBLRT). They agreed to hold a bilateral summit titled ‘India-Sweden: Together Stronger – Towards 2047’ in India in 2027.
During the visit, Prime Minister Kristersson congratulated India on the success of the AI Impact Summit. PM Modi appreciated the participation of Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch and the large delegation from the Swedish AI ecosystem.
The ministry’s statement emphasized that both Prime Ministers prioritized technology and reliable connectivity, highlighting the critical role of digitization. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in this area, including through the ‘Sweden-India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor’ (SITAC).
Both leaders also agreed to initiate an advanced ‘Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0’ and establish a ‘India-Sweden Joint Science and Technology Center.’
According to the ministry, they expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation in space and geospatial technology. They particularly highlighted India’s role as a leading space nation and the significance of Sweden’s ‘Esrange Space Center.’ They welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Swedish Institute for Space Physics regarding the Indian Venus Orbiter Mission.
The leaders welcomed the expansion and increasing engagement of the ‘Leadership Group for Industry Transition’ (LEAD-IT). They decided to advance a global movement to accelerate the pace of change in heavy industries. The Prime Ministers called for the announcement of a new four-year phase of LEAD-IT (LEAD-IT 3.0) at ‘COP-31.’
They also recognized the importance of the bilateral ‘Sweden-India Industry Transition Partnership’ (ITP). Both leaders promoted collaboration in mining and mineral processing technologies to facilitate efficient extraction from low-grade and complex critical mineral deposits.
The ministry’s statement indicated that efforts could be made to co-develop refining and downstream processing capabilities to enhance domestic value addition. Such initiatives are expected to strengthen supply chains.
The Prime Ministers emphasized the importance of connectivity and agreed to actively promote the exchange of talent and people-to-people interactions. This includes the mobility of students and researchers (studying in Sweden) and highly skilled workers (working in Sweden).
Furthermore, they considered the possibilities of direct and regular air services between Sweden and India. Both leaders condemned terrorism in unequivocal terms, denouncing recent terrorist attacks, including the one in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025.
They called for the destruction of terrorist infrastructure and safe havens. They demanded decisive and coordinated international efforts to combat terrorism comprehensively and sustainably.
According to the ministry’s statement, both leaders reiterated their strong commitment to continue active measures to disrupt channels of terrorist financing, including actions taken at platforms like the United Nations and FATF.
During this time, Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson reaffirmed Sweden’s support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. PM Modi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Kristersson and the Swedish people for their warm hospitality.
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