Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store expressed eagerness for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties. During a meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Oslo, Store praised India’s reform initiatives and highlighted potential collaborations in fisheries, health tech, maritime, and space sectors. He also commended the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora in Norway.
Discussions between Sitharaman and Norwegian officials focused on operationalizing EFTA and TEPA agreements, identifying key areas for cooperation such as high-tech manufacturing, carbon capture storage, startups, semiconductors, renewable energy, and waste management. Cecilie Mysreth, Minister for Trade and Industry, and Even Tronstad Sagebakken, State Secretary for Fisheries and Ocean Policy, engaged in talks with Sitharaman to explore opportunities in green tech, rare earth processing, maritime industries, and fisheries, particularly in the context of India’s trade deals with EFTA and TEPA.
Mysreth expressed anticipation for Prime Minister Modi’s visit later in the year, emphasizing the significant role India plays in Norway’s maritime sector. Sitharaman highlighted the mutual benefits that the effective implementation of TEPA could bring and stressed the importance of timely execution. Additionally, she engaged in a roundtable meeting with Norwegian CEOs and investors, discussing India’s appeal as an investment destination and its status as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
During her visit, Sitharaman underscored India’s expanding trade agreements with EFTA, the EU, the UK, and the US, emphasizing the conducive environment for trade, industrial partnerships, and long-term investments in India. She also highlighted the reform-oriented approach of the Indian government, as reflected in the Union Budget 2026-27, aimed at simplifying regulatory processes for citizens and businesses.
