Gothenburg (Sweden), May 18: Driven by a push to deepen strategic and technology ties, India and Sweden have unveiled an ambitious roadmap spanning artificial intelligence, critical minerals, innovation, trade and cultural exchanges during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country.
During bilateral talks in Gothenburg on Sunday, Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson reviewed bilateral ties and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in strategic, economic and emerging technology sectors. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden also participated in the meeting.
The two leaders also agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade and investment in the next five years.
During this visit, PM Modi was also awarded the ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross’ – one of Sweden’s highest civilian honours – in recognition of his contribution to the India-Sweden relationship and his leadership.
“My visit to Sweden was marked by several important outcomes that will add new momentum to India-Sweden relations,” Modi said in a social media post.
He further said: “From elevating our ties to a Strategic Partnership, launching the Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0 and the India-Sweden Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor, to setting an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade in the next five years, the discussions were highly productive.”
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides elevated bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and adopted a Joint Action Plan for 2026-2030, focusing on economic and security resilience, emerging technologies, trusted connectivity and sustainability-linked cooperation.
The MEA further said the strategic partnership would be guided by four pillars – strategic dialogue for stability and security, next-generation economic partnership, emerging technologies and trusted connectivity, and shaping tomorrow together through cooperation in areas linked to people, planet, health and resilience.
India and Sweden also launched the “India-Sweden Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0” that envisages a virtual joint science and technology centre and deeper collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, 6G, quantum computing, critical minerals, renewable energy and smart grid technologies.
In another key outcome highlighted by the MEA, the two countries endorsed the development of the India-Sweden Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor, aimed at boosting cooperation in AI, digital transformation, innovation and advanced technology partnerships involving industry, startups and research institutions.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen trade facilitation mechanisms, promote the “Make in India” initiative and pursue regular dialogue on intellectual property rights, aiming to double bilateral trade and investments within the next five years, the MEA said.
The bilateral trade between the two countries touched USD 7.75 billion in 2025.
The two sides also underlined the importance of early implementation of the recently concluded India-European Union free trade agreement to deepen trade, investment and technology linkages.
The leaders also highlighted the importance of the Sweden-India Industry Transition Partnership and encouraged collaboration in advanced mining and mineral processing technologies to facilitate efficient extraction from low-grade and complex critical mineral deposits, according to a joint statement.
The two sides also agreed to promote co-development of refining and downstream processing capabilities to strengthen resilient supply chains, particularly for rare earths and other critical minerals, the joint statement said.
They further decided to develop an India-Sweden SME and startup platform to support innovation ecosystems and generate employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
According to the Joint Action Plan, the details of which were shared by the MEA, the two sides also aim to cooperate in healthcare innovation, including AI for health and drug development through research collaboration and industrial partnerships.
India and Sweden further agreed to promote mobility of students, researchers and highly skilled professionals through initiatives such as ‘Study in Sweden’ and ‘Work in Sweden’, while also exploring the possibility of direct and regular air connectivity between the two countries, according to the joint statement.
The visit also saw the announcement of a Tagore-Sweden lecture series under the theme “Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi” to deepen cultural and intellectual engagement, strengthen people-to-people ties, promote India’s soft power, and commemorate 2026 as the centenary year of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s visit to Sweden.
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including reforms of the United Nations and other multilateral institutions.
The joint statement said the two prime ministers “unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism”.
The two leaders also condemned “in the strongest terms” the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, and called for dismantling terror infrastructure and safe havens.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to “strong and concerted action” against terrorists and terror groups listed under the UN Security Council 1267 sanctions regime and pledged continued efforts to disrupt terror financing channels, including at the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force, according to the joint statement.
The joint statement also said Kristersson reiterated Sweden’s support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.
Modi thanked Sweden for its support in the fight against terrorism, while both sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace, resilient supply chains and sustainable economic growth.
The two leaders also stressed the importance of the India-Nordic partnership and looked forward to the third India-Nordic Summit scheduled to be held in Norway’s capital Oslo on Tuesday.
Kristersson received Modi at the airport in Gothenburg on Sunday. Modi had earlier visited Sweden in 2018 for the first-ever India-Nordic Summit.
Modi left for Oslo on Monday morning. He is on a four-nation Europe tour which includes the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. (PTI)
