Oslo: The Norwegian capital Oslo emerged as the centre of India’s expanding global outreach on May 19 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a series of high-stakes bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden ahead of the third India-Nordic Summit. The back-to-back engagements underlined New Delhi’s growing geopolitical and economic alignment with the Nordic bloc and reinforced India’s push to deepen cooperation in technology, innovation, green transition, sustainability, defence and the Arctic region.
In a rare diplomatic moment, one country witnessed Prime Minister Modi engaging with five Nordic Prime Ministers within hours, signalling the strategic weight India now commands in Northern Europe. The summit in Oslo is being viewed as a major step toward strengthening India’s long-term engagement with Nordic nations across multiple sectors. Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, focusing on expanding India–Finland cooperation in trade, innovation, digital technology, green transition and sustainable development. The meeting explored ways to deepen collaboration in emerging technologies and sustainable growth sectors as both nations sought to enhance strategic cooperation.
The Prime Minister also met Iceland Prime Minister Kristrún Mjoll Frostadottir ahead of the summit. The discussions reflected India’s growing engagement with smaller but strategically important Nordic nations in areas linked to clean energy, sustainability and Arctic cooperation.
Landed in Oslo, Norway. I’m grateful to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre 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 vigour to the India-Norway friendship. I will call on Their Majesties… pic.twitter.com/dbduzAXVjt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2026
Another major bilateral meeting took place between Prime Minister Modi and Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The meeting came as India and Denmark continue to strengthen cooperation under the Green Strategic Partnership framework, particularly in renewable energy, sustainable urban development and maritime cooperation.
Strategic Nordic outreach gains momentum
The high-level conference in Oslo brought together the Prime Ministers of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden with Prime Minister Modi, making it one of the most significant multilateral Nordic engagements undertaken by India in recent years. The summit builds upon earlier India-Nordic Summits held in Stockholm in 2018 and Copenhagen in 2022. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the summit is expected to impart a stronger strategic dimension to India’s relationship with Nordic countries, especially in technology and innovation, renewable energy, sustainability, blue economy, defence, space cooperation and Arctic affairs.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and senior officials attended the bilateral engagements and summit-related meetings in Oslo. Prime Minister Modi also held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to review all aspects of India–Sweden relations. Modi had arrived in Sweden on Sunday for the third leg of his five-nation visit and was personally received by Kristersson at the airport in Gothenburg.
India-Norway ties elevated to Green Strategic Partnership
A major diplomatic outcome of the Oslo engagements was the elevation of India–Norway relations to a “Green Strategic Partnership” following talks between Prime Minister Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The move is expected to significantly deepen bilateral cooperation in green energy, climate initiatives, maritime sectors and sustainable development. Ahead of the summit, Prime Minister Modi also participated in the India-Norway Business and Research Summit in Oslo, where discussions focused on expanding investment, innovation and research partnerships between the two countries.
Had a wonderful meeting with Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir of Iceland. India deeply values the friendship with Iceland. We talked about ways to improve ties in areas such as clean energy, fisheries, sustainability, geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage and more.… pic.twitter.com/OJEsVQ6Wzm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2026
The Oslo diplomacy forms part of Prime Minister Modi’s broader five-nation visit aimed at strengthening India’s strategic and economic footprint across Europe. After completing visits to the Netherlands and the UAE, Modi travelled to Sweden before heading to Italy for the final leg of the tour. In Rome, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and will also call on Italian President Sergio Mattarella. He is also scheduled to meet business leaders to further boost trade and investment cooperation between India and Italy.
The rapid succession of bilateral meetings in Oslo showcased India’s expanding diplomatic stature and Prime Minister Modi’s aggressive outreach to key global partners. With strategic sectors such as green energy, defence, innovation, Arctic cooperation and advanced technology dominating discussions, the third India-Nordic Summit marks another major step in positioning India as a central player in emerging global partnerships.
