Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Gothenburg on Sunday for a two-day visit, marking the third leg of his current five-nation tour. The visit, scheduled for May 17 and 18, follows an invitation from Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The diplomatic mission focuses on strengthening India-Sweden ties and reviewing India’s broader engagement with the European Union. This visit follows PM Modi’s previous trip to Sweden in 2018 for the inaugural India-Nordic Summit.
Strategic Agenda and Bilateral Talks
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Kristersson are expected to hold bilateral discussions covering the “entire gamut of bilateral relations.” A primary objective of these talks is the boosting of trade and investment ties between the two nations.
According to the foreign ministry, the discussions will span critical collaboration areas, including artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and the green transition. Other key topics include startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action, and people-to-people ties.
Economic Integration and the EU Connection
The leaders are expected to jointly address the European Round Table for Industry, a prominent pan-European business forum. They will be joined by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Officials indicate that the visit is particularly significant following the recent conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. New Delhi aims to utilize this momentum to deepen its economic engagement across Europe.
the economic fallout resulting from the ongoing Iran-US conflict is expected to be a point of discussion, consistent with themes addressed during other legs of the Prime Minister’s tour.
Trade and Innovation Benchmarks
Economic data underscores the growing relationship, with bilateral trade between India and Sweden reaching $7.75 billion in 2025. Between 2000 and 2025, Swedish foreign direct investment into India reached $2.825 billion.
Sweden currently serves as the European Union’s seventh-largest exporter to India, with Swedish firms making up nearly 7% of all EU companies operating in India. Conversely, India stands as Sweden’s eighth-largest export market outside the EU.
The visit is likely to further the cooperation established under the Joint Innovation Partnership and the India-Sweden Joint Action Plan, both of which were launched after the 2018 India-Nordic Summit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Prime Minister Modi visiting Gothenburg?
The visit is scheduled for May 17, and 18.
What are the primary sectors for collaboration during the talks?
Discussions will focus on the green transition, AI, emerging technologies, startups, resilient supply chains, defence, space, climate action, and people-to-people ties.
What is the current state of trade between India and Sweden?
Bilateral trade reached $7.75 billion in 2025, and Swedish foreign direct investment into India totaled $2.825 billion between 2000 and 2025.
How might the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement reshape economic ties between India and Northern European nations?