Oslo, May 19 (APAC Media): India and Norway on Monday upgraded their relationship to a “green strategic partnership” during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo.
The new partnership will focus on cooperation in clean energy, green shipping, Arctic research, digital infrastructure, and advanced technologies.
Both countries also agreed to strengthen trade and investment ties, with a goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030. They discussed speeding up investments under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which is expected to bring nearly $100 billion in investments and create around one million jobs in India over the next 15 years.
Trade is key to the India-Norway friendship. The recently signed India-EU Free Trade Agreement offers immense opportunities to boost economic and investment linkages. pic.twitter.com/Prp9ppCeKO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2026
Modi said India and Norway would work together on global solutions in areas including clean energy, climate action, blue economy, and sustainable shipping. The two leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, climate change, ocean management, higher education, research, artificial intelligence, space technology, and talent exchange.
“India’s relationship with Europe is entering a ‘new golden era’ at a time when the world is witnessing rising geopolitical tensions and conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and West Asia.”, the Prime Minister added.
India and Norway also signed a Triangular Development Cooperation Agreement that would assist human development across the Global South.
“Today, we have signed a Triangular Development Cooperation Agreement. Now, together we will contribute to human development in the countries of the Global South through India’s Digital Public Infrastructure Project. “, Modi added during a joint press meeting with the Norwegian PM.
Both sides agreed to expand collaboration in sectors such as offshore wind energy, carbon capture technology, shipbuilding, cyber security, robotics, fisheries, aquaculture, and training of seafarers. They also reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Norway also joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, which both countries described as an important step for maritime cooperation and sustainable ocean governance.
Prime Minister Modi invited Norway to participate in Bharat Innovates 2026 in France and proposed setting up a bilateral Start-up Innovation Hub along with a Green Innovation Hackathon.
The leaders also discussed cooperation in the Arctic region, where Norway has been supporting India’s Himadri research station. During the visit, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Norwegian Space Agency signed an MoU to strengthen space cooperation.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also reiterated his country’s support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
In a joint statement, both leaders strongly condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and called for coordinated global efforts to tackle the threat.
Later, in a special ceremony in Oslo, King Harald V awarded Narendra Modi the “Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit”, Norway’s highest civilian honour for foreign heads of government, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen India-Norway relations and international cooperation.
Modi dedicated the honour to the friendship and mutual trust shared between the people of India and Norway.
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