OSLO, Norway – May 14, 2026: Former Norwegian minister and former head of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Erik Solheim, has strongly praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership, environmental vision, and growing global influence, calling him one of the world’s most impactful democratic leaders.
In an article published in a Norwegian newspaper ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit to Norway on May 18–19, Solheim described PM Modi as the most popular national leader in the world, citing an approval rating of nearly 70%.
Solheim said Western political leaders could learn valuable lessons from India’s approach to green development and sustainability under PM Modi’s leadership. He urged Nordic leaders to carefully study India’s economic and environmental strategies during upcoming diplomatic engagements with the Indian Prime Minister.
“Western leaders have much to learn from PM Modi’s green message,” Solheim wrote, emphasizing India’s growing role in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate-focused economic policies.
The former UNEP chief highlighted PM Modi’s emphasis on balancing rapid economic growth with environmental responsibility, describing him as a “guarantor of green development.” He praised India’s investments in renewable energy and its efforts to position sustainability at the center of national development.
Solheim also pointed to India’s strong economic performance, noting that the country’s economy is currently growing at around 7% annually — a pace higher than China and most major global economies.
“If current growth trends continue, India could become the world’s second-largest economy by 2050,” Solheim stated in the article.
The Norwegian leader also reflected on PM Modi’s personal and political journey, describing his rise from a modest background in Vadnagar, Gujarat, to leading the world’s largest democracy as extraordinary. He characterized PM Modi as a self-made leader whose political influence extends across social and economic groups.
Discussing India’s political landscape, Solheim noted that Hindu nationalism has become a major force in Indian politics and said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under PM Modi has successfully expanded its support base across caste and class lines.
He further stressed that stronger India-Norway relations could create significant opportunities for both countries in trade, green technology, energy cooperation, and sustainable development.
Solheim concluded by saying that closer engagement with India would benefit Norway economically and strategically, particularly as India continues its rise as a major global power.
