India Sweden strategic partnership agreed in Modi and Kristersson talks on trade, tech, and defence

India and Sweden on Sunday decided to raise bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The discussions covered trade, technology, defence and other sectors. Modi arrived for a two-day visit. Modi also received the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross.

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During delegation-level talks, both sides reviewed the full range of relations. They agreed the upgrade marked a major step in ties. Modi later spoke at a joint press meet. Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also attended. Modi outlined areas for future work across green transition, security and technology.

India-Sweden Strategic Partnership focus areas

"In light of our growing cooperation across every sector, we have decided to elevate our relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership. In this partnership, we will focus and move ahead on green transition, security, emerging technology and people-to-people ties,\" PM Modi said.

Modi said both countries saw strong scope in newer industries. \"We have good potential in sectors like AI, health tech and green mobility. During the AI-Impact Summit in India, a delegation from Sweden participated. We will work on the Sweden-India technology and AI corridor,\" he added.

Modi said defence cooperation between the countries was expanding. Swedish firms setting up production in India showed a shift in engagement. \"The establishment of production facilities in India by Swedish companies stands as a testament to the fact that we are moving beyond a mere buyer-seller relationship towards a long-term industrial partnership,\" he said.

India-Sweden Strategic Partnership and security concerns

Modi linked the partnership to wider global pressures. \"In todays stressful global situation, close cooperation between democracies like India and Sweden holds special importance. For the resolution of various tensions and problems, India has always emphasised dialogue and diplomacy,\" he said.

Modi said both sides viewed terrorism as a shared threat. \"I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Kristersson for the support we received from Sweden following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year. We will continue the fight against terrorism and its supporters,\" he added.

Modi said the relationship drew strength from shared governance principles. \"Modi said the relationship between India and Sweden rests upon a strong foundation of democratic values, the rule of law, and human-centric development.Both our nations view innovation as a vehicle for development, regard sustainability as a shared responsibility, and consider democracy to be our greatest strength..., he added.\"

India-Sweden Strategic Partnership in science and green transition

To link research and startup networks, Modi said both sides planned a new joint institution. An India-Sweden Science and Technology Centre will be set up. The aim is to improve connectivity across innovation ecosystems. Modi also referred to cooperation under industry transition efforts between the two countries.

Modi said the Leadership Group for Industry Transition was a joint global effort. The initiative focused on low-carbon industrial transformation. \"Today, we have decided to embark on its third phase,\" he said. He added that India was working on Green Hydrogen, Circular Economy and Sustainable Infrastructure at scale.

\"By combining Swedens technology with Indias scale, we can develop climate solutions for the entire world...,\" he said. Modi framed this as practical cooperation, not only policy talk. The comments came alongside discussions on technology, sustainability and industrial change. Both sides also looked at areas like green mobility and innovation.

India-Sweden Strategic Partnership and India-EU FTA context

Modi also spoke about India-EU engagement during the press meet. He recalled Ursula von der Leyen’s India visit in January. He said several historic decisions were taken to raise India-EU relations. \"Progress is being made on all those outcomes,\" he said, referring to follow-up work.

Modi said the India-EU FTA would open doors for multiple stakeholders. \"The India-EU FTA will unlock new opportunities for industries, investors, and innovators. To quote Ursula, this is the Mother of All Deals...,\" he said. The statement linked the India-Sweden talks to a wider European framework.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said talks covered many sectors. These included trade and investment, innovation, green transition and space. The agenda also covered emerging technologies, defence and security, SMEs, research and people-to-people ties. The bilateral trade reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.

Jaiswal said both leaders agreed to find new opportunities. The effort was framed within the India-EU Strategic Partnership. Jaiswal also referred to the recently concluded India-EU FTA. Kristersson noted India’s progress in digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence. Kristersson also highlighted the Indian community’s contribution in Sweden.

India-Sweden Strategic Partnership and wider meetings

The leaders shared views on regional and global matters. They underlined the need to reform the UN and multilateral bodies. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums. Crown Princess Victoria joined the meeting. Crown Princess Victoria conveyed warm wishes from the King and Queen of Sweden.

Modi thanked Swedish hosts for the welcome during the visit. Modi also conveyed wishes to King Carl XVI Gustav. The wishes marked the King’s 80th birthday. Earlier, Modi’s aircraft received an escort by Swedish Air Force jets. Kristersson welcomed Modi at the airport in a special gesture.

Modi also met Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of Maersk, separately. They discussed investment opportunities in India, Jaiswal said on X. The talks covered port infrastructure and logistics. Modi noted Maersk’s long presence in India. Modi encouraged more investment in maritime logistics and port infrastructure.

Jaiswal said the meeting also covered green shipping and skilled mobility. The discussion was part of broader business engagement during the visit. Modi had visited Sweden earlier in 2018. That trip included the first India-Nordic Summit. The current visit included outreach to the Indian diaspora as well.

Soon after arriving in Gothenburg, Modi met members of the Indian diaspora. The welcome included music and dance performances. Swedish opera singer Charlotta Huldt sang Vaishnava Jana To bhajan. Students of Lilla Akademien performed Bharatanatyam. Bengali culture was also showcased during the reception with Kristersson present.

\"Bengali culture is popular world over and Sweden is no exception,\" Modi said on social media. The visit combined official talks with community engagement. The Strategic Partnership decision remained the central outcome. Both sides said the new framework would guide cooperation across key sectors.

With inputs from PTI