Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Norway’s capital Oslo on Monday for a two-day visit that marks the first prime ministerial visit from India to the Nordic nation in more than four decades, with trade, technology and strategic cooperation expected to dominate discussions.
In what is being seen as a major diplomatic outreach to the Nordic region, PM Modi was received at the airport by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The visit comes shortly after the signing of the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement and amid New Delhi’s push to deepen economic and geopolitical engagement with European partners.
Soon after landing, the Prime Minister said he was confident that the visit would “add vigour” to ties between the two countries.
“Landed in Oslo, Norway. I’m grateful to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for the warm welcome at the airport. This is the first Prime Ministerial visit to Norway in over four decades. I’m confident it will add vigour to the India-Norway friendship,” Modi posted on X.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet King Harald V and Queen Sonja during the visit. He will also hold bilateral talks with his Norwegian counterpart and participate in the third India-Nordic Summit on Tuesday.
“I will call on Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja and hold talks with Prime Minister Støre. Tomorrow, on the 19th, the 3rd India-Nordic Summit will take place in Oslo, presenting a wonderful opportunity to meet my Nordic counterparts,” he said.
Landed in Oslo, Norway. I’m grateful to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for the warm welcome at the airport. This is the first Prime Ministerial visit to Norway in over four decades. I’m confident it will add vigour to the India-Norway friendship. I will call on Their Majesties… pic.twitter.com/dbduzAXVjt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2026
Trade, investment and technology expected to dominate talks
The Ministry of External Affairs described Norway as a “valued partner” and said the visit would help expand cooperation in trade, green technology and the blue economy.
According to the MEA, bilateral trade between India and Norway stood at around $2.73 billion in 2024, while Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global has investments of nearly $28 billion in the Indian capital market.
The ministry earlier said the visit would provide an opportunity to review bilateral ties and explore new areas of collaboration, especially after the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
Modi is also expected to address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit alongside Prime Minister Støre.
PM Modi wraps up Sweden visit before Oslo stop
The Norway leg of the Prime Minister’s tour began after the conclusion of his visit to Sweden, where India and Sweden elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership.
Highlighting the outcomes of the Sweden visit, PM Modi said discussions focused on innovation, artificial intelligence and boosting trade.
“My visit to Sweden was marked by several important outcomes that will add new momentum to India-Sweden relations,” he posted on X.
“From elevating our ties to a Strategic Partnership, launching the Joint Innovation Partnership 2.0 and the India-Sweden Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor, to setting an ambitious goal of doubling bilateral trade in the next five years, the discussions were highly productive,” he added.
Indian diaspora in Oslo welcomes PM Modi
Members of the Indian community in Oslo expressed excitement over the visit, with many calling it a long-awaited moment for the diaspora.
“We are excited about the PM’s visit to Norway. This is the first visit after 43 years. Not just the Indian diaspora but the whole of Norway is excited about this visit. After signing the EFTA deal, the industry in Norway is now excited about materialising it,” a member of the diaspora told ANI.
Another community member said, “Super excited! He is more than a rockstar! With this, the business relations between India and Norway will get better.”
A third resident added, “We can’t define our excitement in words. We have been waiting for this moment for the past year.”
The India-Nordic Summit is expected to bring together leaders from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, with discussions likely to focus on trade, technology, climate cooperation and regional security.