Addressing the
India-Norway Business and Research Summit in Oslo during his two-day visit to
Norway, PM Modi emphasised India’s rapid economic growth, rising energy demand
and commitment to sustainable development. The summit was attended by Norway
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Crown Prince Haakon and business leaders from
both nations. The Prime Minister
underscored India’s ambitious green transition agenda, pointing to large-scale
expansion in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, green hydrogen and clean
energy initiatives. He praised Norway’s leadership in clean energy investments,
maritime decarbonisation, ocean sustainability and climate finance, urging
companies from both countries to deepen cooperation and build long-term
partnerships. Highlighting the growing
economic ties between India and Norway, Modi said bilateral trade and
investments have gained momentum following the implementation of the Trade and
Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). He urged stakeholders to work towards
the agreement’s target of attracting $100 billion in investments and creating
one million jobs in India.
Norwegian interest in India has been increasing
steadily, particularly in maritime industries, shipping, marine services,
offshore energy and oil and gas sectors. Investments are also expanding into
clean energy, environmental solutions and information and communications
technology. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the Norwegian Pension Fund Global,
remains one of India’s largest foreign investors.
The summit brought
together over 250 participants, including chief executives from more than 50
companies representing business and research communities from both countries.
Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed during the
event covering healthcare innovation, digital health, digital public
infrastructure and space cooperation.
An agreement between the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) and the Norwegian Space Agency is expected to strengthen
bilateral collaboration in the space sector. India and Norway also signed a
triangular cooperation agreement aimed at jointly delivering human development
solutions to countries in the Global South using India’s digital public
infrastructure.
Ahead of the summit, dedicated roundtable discussions
were held in Oslo focusing on healthcare innovation, maritime cooperation,
batteries and energy storage systems, digitalisation, electrification and wind
energy.