Oslo: In a historic milestone for India-Nordic relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oslo on May 18 for a landmark bilateral visit to Norway, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Scandinavian nation in more than four decades. The visit forms the fourth leg of Modi’s five-nation diplomatic tour after engagements in the United Arab Emirates, Netherlands and Sweden.
Prime Minister Modi landed in Oslo yesterday and was warmly received at the airport by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The visit is being viewed as a major diplomatic and geopolitical step aimed at deepening India’s engagement with the Nordic region, particularly in the backdrop of the recently signed European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement.
In a post on X after arriving in Oslo, Modi said he was “confident” that the visit would strengthen ties between the two nations. “Landed in Oslo, Norway. I’m grateful to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store for the warm welcome at the airport. This is the first Prime Ministerial visit to Norway in over four decades. I’m confident it will add vigor to the India-Norway friendship,” he wrote.
PM Modi conferred Norway’s highest honour
In a major highlight of the visit, Prime Minister Modi was conferred the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by King Harald V. The Grand Cross is the highest grade under the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit and is awarded in recognition of outstanding service and contribution toward strengthening relations with Norway and the international community.
With this recognition, Modi has now received a total of 32 international honours from foreign nations, underlining his expanding diplomatic outreach and India’s growing global profile. Prime Minister Modi later held bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store at the Government Guest House in Oslo. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors, including clean energy, maritime security, digital development, healthcare technology, space cooperation and the blue economy.
Honoured to receive the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. This honour is dedicated to the people of India and is a tribute to the enduring friendship between India and Norway. It reflects our shared commitment to global progress. pic.twitter.com/bh7ucPamK4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2026
During the talks, Modi thanked Norway for standing with India after the Pahalgam terror attack, due to which his earlier planned visit to Norway last year had to be postponed. “I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for the warm welcome. On the important occasion of Norway’s Constitution Day tomorrow, I extend heartfelt greetings on behalf of the world’s largest democracy to the people of Norway, which is a strong and vibrant democracy,” Modi said. “I was scheduled to visit Norway last year, but the visit had to be postponed due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. During that difficult time, Norway stood firmly with India against terrorism and demonstrated true friendship. Now that I have come to Norway, I sincerely thank the country for this solidarity,” he added. Describing Norway as “a beautiful example of harmony between nature and human progress,” Modi emphasised the growing convergence between the two democracies.
Green strategic partnership announced
A major outcome of the visit was the elevation of bilateral relations to a “Green Strategic Partnership” during talks held in Oslo on Monday. The new framework seeks to institutionalise long-term cooperation between India and Norway across sectors linked to sustainability, climate resilience and green transition. Announcing the development after bilateral talks, Modi said, “Today, we are giving shape to India-Norway relations as a ‘Green Strategic Partnership.’ Through this strategic partnership, spanning sectors ranging from clean energy to climate resilience, and from the Blue Economy to Green Shipping, our companies will develop global solutions by combining India’s scale, speed, and talent with Norway’s technology and capital.”
Held fruitful talks with PM Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo. One of the key highlights was the upgrading of our bilateral partnership to a Green Strategic Partnership, which will deepen synergy in clean energy, sustainable growth, the blue economy, green shipping and more. We also… pic.twitter.com/yIlqNWNVcp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2026
Norwegian Prime Minister Store described the agreement as a foundation for future-oriented cooperation. “We are now elevating our relationship to a Green Strategic Partnership, which gives us the foundation to work on knowledge, resources, and ambitions for the green transition, where we depend on succeeding, both of us,” he said.
The Green Strategic Partnership includes cooperation in green shipping, clean energy, digital development and sustainable ocean-based activities. The two sides also reviewed progress under the India-Norway Green Maritime Partnership signed in 2025, which focuses on sustainable maritime transport, decarbonisation of shipping, green shipping corridors and environment-friendly vessels.
The partnership further includes cooperation in green hydrogen, ammonia fuel-cell propulsion systems and greener port infrastructure, areas increasingly seen as central to the future global energy transition
Business, research and innovation focus
Prime Minister Modi also participated in the India-Norway Business and Research Summit, where he held a wide-ranging interaction with leading Norwegian business and research leaders. The summit brought together CEOs and senior executives from sectors including energy, offshore wind, maritime and shipping, fertilizers, food security, industrial manufacturing, robotics, healthcare technology, innovation and higher education. The participating companies collectively represent an estimated market capitalisation and enterprise value of nearly USD 200 billion, underlining the scale of Norway’s economic engagement with India.
The outreach highlighted India’s growing importance as a trusted economic partner and innovation destination for Nordic economies. Modi showcased opportunities in India across multiple emerging sectors, including green hydrogen, green ammonia, consumer goods, food processing, coatings, underwater technologies and healthcare research. The summit reflected New Delhi’s broader effort to position India as a major hub for investment, manufacturing, technological collaboration and sustainable development partnerships with European and Nordic countries.
I Oslo rådhus deltok statsminister Jonas Gahr Støre og jeg på et næringslivs- og forskertoppmøte. Det var en hyggelig anledning til å samhandle med aktører fra både næringslivet og forskningsmiljøene. Våre land har gode muligheter for samarbeid innen områder som matsikkerhet,… pic.twitter.com/2iLhDIesnm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2026
Cooperation in space, health and global South
Both countries also signed agreements covering space cooperation, health and digital development. On health collaboration, Store said, “We are strengthening our cooperation in health; a lot to learn from India. We are signing a memorandum of understanding on developing high-tech quality health services, closer cooperation on digital health, artificial intelligence, research, and health technology. We also deepen our cooperation on digital development, including work on digital public infrastructure and digital public goods.”
The two leaders also highlighted cooperation in Arctic research and space technology. Modi noted that Norway remains a key partner in India’s Arctic engagement. “Norway is a key nation in the Arctic region. We share a long-standing history of cooperation in Arctic and polar research. We are grateful to Norway for its support in the operations of India’s Arctic research station, ‘Himadri.’ The MoU being signed today between Indian Space Research Organisation and the Norwegian Space Agency will add new dimensions to our cooperation in the space sector,” Modi said.
He added that deeper scientific collaboration would contribute toward understanding climate change, protecting fragile ecosystems and securing the future of humanity.
“As two major maritime nations, we will work together to strengthen cooperation in the marine economy, maritime security, and capacity building. Today, we have concluded a Triangular Development Cooperation Agreement. We will now collaborate to contribute to human development in countries of the Global South through India’s Digital Public Infrastructure projects,” Modi said. The two leaders also discussed major geopolitical developments, including the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. “Both India and Norway firmly believe in a rules-based order, dialogue, and diplomacy. We share the conviction that military conflict cannot provide a solution to any issue. Whether in Ukraine or West Asia, we support, and will continue to support, every effort aimed at the early cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace,” Modi said.
Store underlined the importance of democratic cooperation despite differences on certain issues. “Norway and India do not always see eye to eye on all issues. Nobody does. And we are both respectful democracies who handle those issues in ways that live up to democratic standards. But what unites us today, Prime Minister, is more important. I believe that cooperation delivers better results than unilateralism and isolation, especially when it comes to global challenges,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conclude his five-nation diplomatic tour with a visit to Italy following the completion of his engagements in Norway.
