The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday (May 18, 2026) said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway marked a significant milestone in India-Norway ties, with both countries elevating their relationship to a green strategic partnership.
Also read: From green shipping to blue economy: Modi hails India-Norway partnership
Addressing reporters after the Prime Minister’s engagements in Oslo, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the new partnership would add a strategic dimension to bilateral cooperation in climate action, renewable energy, resilient supply chains, green technologies and the blue economy.
Also read: After Netherlands, MEA faces questions over PM’s decision not to hold press conference in Norway
India and Norway have differences, but they must unite against countries that “weaponise” diplomacy, trade and technology, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo on Monday (May 18, 2026) after talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the two countries upgraded ties to a “Green Strategic Partnership”.
On Tuesday (May 19), Mr. Modi will meet Nordic leaders from Denmark, Sweden, and Finland at the Nordic India Summit where the India-EU free trade agreement will be discussed again.
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with his Finnish counterpart Petteri Orpo.
India can improve its ‘ease of doing business’ by streamlining regulatory frameworks and addressing “ground level challenges”, Norwegian industry leaders told Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a candid conversation at the India-Norway Business and Research Summit held in Oslo on Tuesday (May 19, 2026)
The Ministry of External Affairs defended India’s record on democracy on Monday (May 18 2026), for the second time during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s European tour, over the PM’s decision not to take questions from the press.
During the joint press appearance with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Mr. Modi was confronted by a Norwegian journalist who stood up and asked him to respond to media questions, as was the norm in the European country. Later in the day, after the same journalist accosted the Ministry of External Affairs on the issue as well as human rights during a briefing, a senior MEA official said that India is a “civilizational country”.
MEA defends India's democracy amid PM Modi's European tour, facing press criticism for not holding conferences in Norway.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen once again called for an investment agreement between India and the European Union (EU), terming it a “missing piece of the puzzle” in the cooperation plans of the two economies.
Ms. von der Leyen was speaking at the European Business Round Table for Industry in Gothenburg, Sweden, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi also delivered his address.
On Tuesday (May 19), Mr. Modi will meet Nordic leaders from Denmark, Sweden, and Finland at the Nordic India Summit where the India-EU free trade agreement will be discussed again.
Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes the need for a missing investment agreement with India to enhance EU-India economic cooperation.
India and Norway have differences, but they must unite against countries that “weaponise” diplomacy, trade and technology, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo on Monday (May 18, 2026) after talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the two countries upgraded ties to a “Green Strategic Partnership”.
PM Modi advocates for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine during talks with Norway's PM.
Published - May 19, 2026 11:44 am IST
Live news / Narendra Modi / Norway
Source: The Hindu - India News
