Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Oslo, Norway, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to Norway in 43 years. This historic three-day visit, which began on Monday, represents a significant milestone in India-Norway bilateral relations and comes as India looks to deepen ties with Nordic nations after the landmark EFTA agreement. The visit, characterized by extensive diplomatic engagements and concrete outcomes across multiple sectors, has been widely recognized as set to further strengthen India-Norway relations. Modi praised Norway's unwavering support during challenging times, calling it a reflection of 'true friendship' between the two nations.
During his historic visit, PM Modi received Norway's highest civilian award — the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. This prestigious recognition marks Modi's 32nd international honour, making him the only Indian Prime Minister to receive such an extraordinary distinction. The award represents a powerful symbol of deepening India-Norway friendship and is widely viewed as a reflection of Modi's visionary leadership and global statesmanship. The recognition comes as India's global stature continues to rise under his leadership, with the Prime Minister's dedication and service to the nation inspiring millions worldwide.
The summit in Oslo will focus on green energy, technology, defence, space, blue economy and Arctic cooperation, as reported by latest updates. During the joint press meet with Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre, PM Modi thanked Norway for standing firmly with India against terrorism after the Pahalgam terror attack, describing it as a symbol of friendship and solidarity. As reported by mygovindia, Modi specifically thanked Norway for their strong stance against terrorism, highlighting this as a concrete example of bilateral cooperation. The Prime Minister emphasized that eliminating terrorism in all forms from its roots is their shared commitment, with both countries maintaining a shared position on terrorism.
The visit has strengthened Norwegian investments in India's economic prospects, with both nations agreeing that military conflict cannot provide a solution to any issue, as stated by Modi after the talks. The leaders also stressed the need to reform global institutions to address pressing challenges facing the international community. As reported by Business Standard, the Prime Minister highlighted that India and Norway support every step towards peace in Ukraine as well as in West Asia. The visit has been positioned as contributing to India's broader goal of becoming a superpower in the global context, with India looking to deepen ties with Nordic nations after the landmark EFTA agreement.
