OSLO – Two weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has described the trip as a milestone in bilateral relations, unveiling a sweeping partnership that includes a landmark trade agreement, major investments, and deep cooperation on artificial intelligence and green energy.
Speaking from the newly rebuilt government headquarters in Oslo, Støre called the Modi visit “very important and promising,” noting that it was the culmination of Nordic-India dialogue that began in 2018. “I raised my hand and said, next time we will be in Oslo,” the Prime Minister recalled. “So this meeting took place this year.”
The visit unfolded in two parts: first a bilateral engagement deepening cooperation across multiple sectors, followed by a Nordic-India meeting where all five Nordic countries sat together with India to discuss security, artificial intelligence, and climate challenges.
Støre highlighted that Norway, together with its EFTA partners (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland), finalized a trade agreement with India that predates any similar EU accord. “It’s the most comprehensive trade agreement we have made of that kind,” he said. “It is going to lead to major investments from Norway in India, and also a lot of opportunity for cooperation in science and a number of areas.”
The deal is expected to unlock significant Norwegian capital flows into the Indian market, particularly in renewable energy, maritime technology, and digital infrastructure.
$100 Billion Green Energy Pledge: What About Neighboring Countries?
During the press conference, a journalist identified as Sethurupan raised a pointed question about the ambitious 100 billion green energy project announced in connection with the India visit. “What do the neighbors get?” the journalist asked, referring to nearly ten neighboring countries and both political and environmental impacts.
Støre responded by explaining that the 100 billion figure represents a total investment target over a ten-year horizon. “It was very hard for me to make that decision,” he admitted. “How could I say that in a ten-year perspective, this is how investments will grow?”
To address this, the Norwegian government consulted with NHO (the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise) and other business organizations, asking for their expectations of how investments are likely to grow given India’s rapid development trajectory. “On that basis, we saw that with the increase which is happening, it’s probably within reach to reach that goal,” Støre said.
Crucially, the Prime Minister clarified that the agreement is exclusively with India. “It’s not done with neighboring countries,” he stated. However, he acknowledged that the growing Indian economy will have a “considerable” effect on its near abroad. “But India’s near abroad is a complex near abroad, to put it politely,” he added, noting that India’s influence extends far beyond its immediate borders.
Beyond trade and energy, Støre emphasized India’s emerging role as a global leader in artificial intelligence. “India now stands out as a very important partner” in AI and other scientific fields, he said. The Nordic-India platform is expected to facilitate joint research and policy coordination on the responsible development of AI technologies.
The Prime Minister’s remarks on India came amid a broader discussion of Norway’s foreign policy balancing act — deepening ties with European allies, managing relations with China and Russia, and maintaining its Arctic posture. But on India, the message was unambiguous: Oslo sees New Delhi as a partner of growing strategic and economic importance.
As Støre noted, the Nordic countries may not be a decision-making body, but their ability to sit around a table with India “is a strength.” With a trade deal already in place and investment targets set, the Norway-India relationship appears poised for a significant leap forward — one that its neighbors will be watching closely.
