Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Sweden on Saturday for a two-day visit aimed at expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transition, innovation, defence and trade, as India sharpens its strategic and economic engagement with Nordic countries amid shifting global dynamics.
The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, marks Modi’s second trip to Sweden since his landmark 2018 visit for the first India-Nordic Summit.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit is intended to review the “entire gamut” of bilateral ties and identify new avenues for cooperation in emerging technologies, resilient supply chains and sustainable growth sectors.
AI, green transition and innovation in focus
A major thrust of the visit will be on future-oriented sectors such as artificial intelligence, automation, climate technologies, advanced manufacturing and clean energy transition.
Sweden, regarded among Europe’s most innovation-driven economies, is expected to deepen collaboration with India in technology-led industrial growth and sustainability initiatives.
Officials aware of the development asserted the two sides will discuss cooperation in:
- Artificial intelligence and automation
- Green and sustainable technologies
- Defence manufacturing and innovation
- Space and advanced research collaboration
- Resilient global supply chains
- Startups and digital ecosystems
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Kristersson in Gothenburg, Sweden’s industrial and innovation hub.
Trade and investment ties
India and Sweden have steadily expanded economic ties in recent years, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 7.75 billion in 2025. Swedish foreign direct investment into India has touched around USD 2.825 billion between 2000 and 2025, according to official figures.
Also read: PM Modi to reach Gothenburg on 2 day visit to Sweden on Sunday
Indian Ambassador to Sweden Anurag Bhushan said the visit has generated significant enthusiasm in Sweden, particularly in Gothenburg, which hosts major industrial and research institutions.
He noted that both leaders would focus on boosting trade, investment and technology partnerships while also strengthening people-to-people engagement.
Industry outreach and European business engagement
One of the highlights of the visit will be Modi’s participation in the European Round Table for Industry, a leading platform bringing together top European CEOs and business leaders.
Modi and Kristersson are expected to jointly address the gathering alongside Ursula von der Leyen, with discussions likely to centre around AI, green transition, emerging technologies and Europe-India trade opportunities.
The Prime Minister is also expected to hold separate interactions with leading Swedish companies and CEOs to explore investment opportunities and industrial cooperation.
Swedish industry leaders ahead of the visit described India as a major innovation and manufacturing destination. Volvo Group executives highlighted India’s growing role in research and development, noting that the company employs nearly 5,000 people in the country and operates its second-largest global R&D centre there.
Industry representatives also pointed to increasing collaboration in automation and smart manufacturing technologies between Indian and Swedish firms.
The Sweden visit forms part of Modi’s broader diplomatic outreach across Europe and the Gulf region, including stops in the UAE, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy.
Following Sweden, Modi will travel to Norway for the third India-Nordic Summit, where leaders from Nordic nations are expected to deliberate on technology, renewable energy, defence cooperation, sustainability and Arctic issues.
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