Sweden and India broaden and deepen strategic cooperation
Published
On 17 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Gothenburg. During the visit, the leaders held bilateral meetings and participated in discussions with European business leaders on innovation, climate and trade. HRH Crown Princess Victoria, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, and India’s Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also participated in the programme.
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During the visit, the leaders held bilateral meetings and participated in discussions with European business leaders on innovation, climate and trade.
Photo: Magnus Liljegren/Government Offices
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In a joint press statement with Mr Kristersson and Mr Modi, Ms von der Leyen expressed confidence following the decision taken by the EU and India at the beginning of the year to expand their cooperation and enter into the historic free trade agreement.
Photo: Magnus Liljegren/Government Offices
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The longstanding cooperation between Sweden and India creates many opportunities for expanded cooperation on trade, space and innovation. The purpose of the visit was to consolidate and develop the close relations between Sweden and India.
Photo: Tom Samuelsson/Government Offices
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In a ceremony at the County Governor’s residence, in the presence of Mr Kristersson, HRH The Crown Princess presented Mr Modi with the Royal Order.
Photo: Magnus Liljegren/Government Offices
“Sweden and India share a partnership shaped by more than a century of cooperation, trust and entrepreneurship. I am grateful for the strong ties that have brought us here today, and I am confident that our cooperation will continue to grow through innovation, sustainability and digital transformation. Together, we look ahead with optimism and a shared commitment to the future,” said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The longstanding cooperation between Sweden and India, combining Sweden’s strengths in innovation and India’s rapid technological development, creates many opportunities for expanded cooperation on innovation, climate, and trade. The purpose of the visit was to consolidate and develop the close relations between Sweden and India.
The programme included bilateral talks and local visits related to Swedish industry and innovation, including World of Volvo.
Prime Minister Kristersson and Prime Minister Modi also gave press statements together with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Royal Order and historic gift
At a ceremony, Prime Minister Modi was awarded The Royal Order of the Polar Star. The Order was instituted in 1748 and is intended to recognise personal endeavours for Sweden or for Swedish interests. His Majesty the King conferred the Royal Order of the Polar Star to the Prime Minister, and it was received from the hands of Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess.
Prime Minister Modi was also presented with a gift: a unique find from the Swedish National Archive symbolising the historic bonds between India and Sweden. The gift consists of reproductions of two handwritten verses by the Indian poet and first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature, Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) who visited Sweden in 1921 and 1926.
A new chapter in a longstanding partnership
The visit resulted in the endorsement of an upgraded Joint Action Plan for 2026–2030, to implement the Strategic Partnership. The plan presents a framework for deeper cooperation on political and economic affairs, space, security and stability, technological and digital connectivity, as well as next‑generation economic growth and stronger people‑to‑people ties.
The two Prime Ministers also highlighted the importance of the India-Nordic Partnership and looked ahead to the Third Nordic-India Summit in Oslo on the 19th of May 2026.
Strategic partnership between India and Sweden
On 17 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson receives Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Gothenburg on the occasion of Sweden and India upgrading their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
Royal Order and historic gift at India visit
During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gothenburg, Mr Modi was presented with the Royal Order of the Polar Star by HRH The Crown Princess.
Mr Modi was also presented with a symbolic gift, a box containing faithful reproductions of two handwritten cards by the Indian poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Photo and video
Photos and videos from the visit are available for editorial use.
