PM Modi in a group photograph with Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in Sweden on May 17, 2026. Photo: PIB
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sweden on Sunday, where he held bilateral talks with his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, in Gothenburg. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to elevate India-Sweden relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership.
According to an official statement released by the Government of India, the Strategic Partnership will be guided by four key pillars: Strategic Dialogue for Stability and Security; Next-Generation Economic Partnership; Emerging Technologies and Trusted Connectivity; and Shaping Tomorrow Together, focusing on people, planet, health, and resilience.
To operationalise the partnership, both leaders adopted the India-Sweden Joint Action Plan 2026–2030, which lays out a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation across political, economic, technological, security, climate, and people-to-people domains.
The two sides also noted that the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement has opened a new chapter in economic and commercial ties. They agreed to work towards its early implementation to further deepen trade, investment, and technology linkages.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Modi appreciated Sweden’s continued engagement with India in key strategic sectors, including innovation, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, sustainable mobility, and digital transformation.
Prime Minister Kristersson, in turn, praised India’s progress in digital transformation and artificial intelligence, and acknowledged the positive contribution of the Indian diaspora to Sweden’s economy and innovation ecosystem.
He also welcomed India’s invitation for greater Swedish participation in India’s growth journey.
Prime Minister Modi thanked Sweden for its strong support in the global fight against terrorism. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace, stability, resilient supply chains, and sustainable economic growth.
The leaders reviewed the full spectrum of India-Sweden relations and noted growing momentum in areas such as trade and investment, innovation, green transition, emerging technologies, defence and security, digitalisation, SMEs, space, research, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
They reaffirmed that the partnership is anchored in shared democratic values and driven by innovation, sustainability, and strong research and development linkages.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of maintaining regular high-level political