India and Norway are enhancing cooperation in sectors like maritime, green energy, and startups, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Oslo set to bolster bilateral relations. The Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, mentioned that the number of Norwegian companies in India has doubled over the past decade, with about 160 companies now operating in the country. These companies are actively exploring trade and investment opportunities in energy, maritime, and the circular economy.
Stener highlighted that approximately 70% of Norwegian companies in India are involved in the maritime sector, emphasizing the potential for collaboration in this area due to India’s growing maritime ambitions. She noted India’s progress in the maritime sector, citing the government’s ‘Sagarmala’ program that has contributed to port modernization, infrastructure development, and cargo handling capacity enhancement. Recently, the Union Cabinet, under PM Modi’s leadership, approved a substantial amount to revitalize India’s shipbuilding and maritime ecosystem.
In the green energy sector, Norway is already supporting India and aims to further strengthen this support. As an energy superpower transitioning towards a greener future, Norway is keen on sharing its technological solutions with Indian stakeholders. Stener expressed admiration for India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, indicating that Norwegian startups are also interested in exploring collaboration opportunities and supporting innovation in India.
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Norway from May 18 to 19 for the third India-Nordic Summit and various bilateral engagements. This visit marks a significant milestone as it will be PM Modi’s first visit to Norway and the first prime ministerial visit from India to Norway in over four decades. During the visit, PM Modi will address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit alongside the Norwegian Prime Minister.
