New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced a major expansion of India’s partnership with Norway during his visit to Oslo, with both countries deciding to elevate bilateral ties to a Green Strategic Partnership focused on clean energy, maritime cooperation, climate action, innovation, and emerging technologies.
Addressing a joint interaction in Oslo along with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Modi described Norway as a country where nature and human progress exist in harmony. He also extended greetings to the people of Norway on the occasion of the country’s Constitution Day, according to an External Affairs Ministry statement.
Modi recalled that his planned visit to Norway last year had been postponed following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He thanked Norway for standing firmly with India against terrorism during that period and said the support reflected the strength of ties between the two countries.
Highlighting global challenges, Modi said the world was passing through a period of instability and uncertainty due to ongoing conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and West Asia. Against this backdrop, he said India and Europe were entering a new phase of strategic cooperation.
Referring to the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement signed between India and the European Free Trade Association last year, Modi said the pact aimed to bring USD 100 billion of investment into India and generate one million jobs over the next 15 years.
He said India and Norway had taken several important decisions to convert the agreement into practical outcomes and strengthen economic cooperation further.
Under the newly announced Green Strategic Partnership, both countries will work together in sectors including clean energy, climate resilience, blue economy, and green shipping. Modi said the partnership would combine India’s scale, talent, and speed with Norway’s technology and investment strength to develop global solutions.
The Indian PM also highlighted growing cooperation in research, education, and innovation. He said the two sides had agreed to expand joint research in sustainability, ocean energy, geology, and healthcare.
India and Norway will also strengthen collaboration in engineering, artificial intelligence, cyber technology, and digital innovation by connecting universities and startup ecosystems.
Modi said cooperation in skill development and talent mobility would also expand further in the coming years.
Highlighting Norway’s strategic importance in the Arctic region, Modi thanked Oslo for supporting India’s Arctic research station Himadri. He also welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Norwegian Space Agency, saying it would open new opportunities in space cooperation.
He also said deeper scientific cooperation between the two countries would help advance climate research, ecosystem protection, and sustainable development efforts.
India also welcomed Norway’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Modi said both maritime nations would work together to strengthen cooperation in the marine economy, maritime security, and capacity building.
The two countries also concluded a triangular development cooperation agreement aimed at supporting human development projects in countries of the Global South through India’s Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives.
On international issues, Modi said India and Norway both supported dialogue, diplomacy, and a rules-based global order. He stressed that military conflict could not resolve global disputes and reiterated support for peace efforts in Ukraine and West Asia.
The PM also underlined the need for reforms in global institutions and reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to eliminating terrorism in all forms.
Modi said cooperation between India and Norway was expanding across sectors ranging from Arctic research and outer space to energy security, food security, and green shipping, opening a new chapter in long-term bilateral ties.
