PM Narendra Modi used his Sweden visit to push for stronger democratic cooperation, deeper defence ties and faster progress on the India-EU trade agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: IANS/Video Grab)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used a high-profile gathering of European business leaders in Sweden to sharpen India’s message against terrorism, thanking Stockholm for standing with New Delhi after the Pahalgam terror attack and asserting that democracies must deepen cooperation in an increasingly volatile global environment.
Addressing the India-Europe CEO Round Table in Gothenburg, PM Modi said terrorism remained a threat to all of humanity and stressed that India would continue to act firmly against terror groups and those supporting them. His remarks come a year after India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.
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“In today’s tense global environment, close cooperation between democracies like India and Sweden holds special significance,” PM Modi said during the interaction hosted by the Volvo Group.
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The Prime Minister also thanked Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for extending support to India after the Pahalgam attack.
“India and Sweden agree that terrorism poses a grave challenge to all of humanity. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Kristersson for the support we received from Sweden following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year. We will continue our fight against terrorism and its supporters,” he said.
The April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. In response, Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor during the night of May 6 and 7, striking nine terror camps located in Pakistan and PoJK.
Alongside security concerns, PM Modi highlighted growing defence cooperation between India and Sweden, saying ties between the two countries were moving beyond a traditional buyer-seller framework.
“Our cooperation in the defence sector is continuously expanding. The establishment of production facilities in India by Swedish companies stands as a testament to the fact that we are moving beyond a mere buyer-seller relationship towards a long-term industrial partnership,” the Prime Minister said.
The CEO round table brought together senior business leaders from Europe and India, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also attending the event.
PM Modi also underlined the importance of the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a key economic opportunity for industries and investors on both sides.
Referring to von der Leyen’s India visit earlier this year, the Prime Minister said several major decisions had been taken to strengthen India-EU ties and that progress was being made on those outcomes.
“The India-EU FTA will unlock new opportunities for industries, investors, and innovators. To quote Ursula, this is the ‘Mother of All Deals’,” Modi said.
Earlier on Sunday, Modi was conferred Sweden’s “Royal Order of Polar Star Commander Grand Cross”, regarded as the country’s highest honour awarded to a foreign head of government.
The award marks the 31st international honour received by Modi from a foreign nation.
Sweden is the third stop in the Prime Minister’s ongoing five-nation tour. He is scheduled to travel to Norway later on Sunday.
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