Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties in areas such as clean energy, trade, sustainability and digitalisation during separate meetings with his counterparts from Iceland, Finland and Denmark.

The Prime Minister held the meetings ahead of the 3rd India-Nordic Summit.

During his talks with Iceland Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, PM Modi discussed the overall trajectory of bilateral relations between India and the three Nordic nations.

“Had a wonderful meeting with Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir of Iceland. India deeply values the friendship with Iceland,” Mr. Modi said in a social media post after the meeting with the Icelandic premier.

He said the two sides discussed ways to improve ties in areas such as clean energy, fisheries, sustainability, geothermal energy and carbon capture and storage.

-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties in areas such as trade and renewable energy during separate meetings with his counterparts from Iceland, Finland and Denmark.

PM Modi held the meetings ahead of the 3rd India-Nordic Summit. During his talks with Iceland Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir, Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, PM Modi discussed the overall trajectory of bilateral relations between India and the three Nordic nations.

Modi in Norway LIVE: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Finland PM Petteri Orpo

The Nordic countries refer to a geopolitical and cultural region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic. It comprises Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The five Nordic nations boast a combined GDP exceeding $1.9 trillion, and they lead global benchmarks in renewable energy and sustainable ocean governance.

Oslo is hosting the 3rd India-Nordic Summit, bringing together Mr. Modi and the leaders of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. The summit, to be held later in the day, is expected to build on the previous India-Nordic Summits held in Stockholm in 2018 and Copenhagen in 2022 and impart a greater strategic dimension to India’s engagement with the Nordic countries in areas such as technology and innovation, green transition and renewable energy, sustainability, blue economy, defence, space and the Arctic, officials said.

Mr. Modi arrived in Norway from Sweden on Monday (May 18, 2026) as part of his five-nation tour.

The Prime Minister is on a tour of the UAE, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy from May 15-20. From Norway, Mr. Modi will travel to Italy in the final phase of his visit.

According to the website of the Indian Embassy in Reykjavik, India and Iceland share close cultural ties, with Icelanders showing keen interest in Indian culture, including yoga, classical music, dance, films and cuisine. Around 600 Indian Nationals are currently living in Iceland.

The two countries also maintain strong business partnerships with Icelandic firms such as Ossur, Verkís, Alvotech and Marel, having a presence in India.

The bilateral economic partnership received a boost after the signing of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in New Delhi in March 2024. Iceland is one of the four EFTA members, along with Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

Oslo summit must mark India’s northward turn

As per the Indian Embassy’s website in Helsinki, over 100 Finnish companies have operations in India. Large Finnish companies like Nokia, Kone Elevators, Metso Outotec, Wartsila, UPM, Lindstrom, Fortum, Ahlstrom, and Elcoteq have manufacturing facilities in India.

There are approximately 33,445 persons of Indian origin living in Finland, comprising around 15,115 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and 18,330 Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). Around 2,400 Indian students are pursuing their higher education in Finnish universities.

Around 200 Danish companies have invested in India in sectors such as shipping, renewable energy, environment, agriculture, food processing and smart urban development, according to the Indian Embassy in Copenhagen.

Several major Danish companies have built new manufacturing factories under the ‘Make in India’ scheme. Major investing companies from Denmark include the Danish shipping giant, AP Moller-Maersk Group, carrying about 19% of India’s container trade.

The size of the Indian community in Denmark is around 22,000. These include IT professionals, doctors, engineers, finance and banking professionals, academics and students.

Published – May 19, 2026 05:04 pm IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with PM of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre at the Oslo City Hall, during the Business and Research Summit in Oslo on Monday, May 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
X/NarendraModi

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.

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Norwegian Ambassador May-Elin Stener. File photo
| Photo Credit: R. RAGU