Oslo, Norway — May 18, 2026
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Oslo on Monday for a landmark official visit to Norway, marking the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Nordic nation in more than four decades.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre personally received PM Modi at the airport in a gesture highlighting the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two countries. Senior officials from both India and Norway were also present to welcome the Indian leader.
Shortly after his arrival, PM Modi shared a message on social media platform X, expressing gratitude for the warm reception and emphasizing the importance of the visit for strengthening bilateral relations.
“Landed in Oslo. Grateful to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre for the warm welcome at the airport. This is the first prime ministerial visit to Norway in more than four decades. I am confident this visit will add new momentum to India-Norway friendship,”PM Modi said in his post.
The Indian prime minister also confirmed that he would hold meetings with King Harald V and Queen Sonja, along with bilateral talks with the Norwegian leadership.
Historic Visit Expected to Deepen Strategic Partnership
This marks PM Modi’s first official visit to Norway and the first by any Indian prime minister in 43 years, underlining New Delhi’s growing engagement with the Nordic region.
Norway has emerged as an increasingly important strategic and economic partner for India, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, maritime cooperation, digital technology, climate initiatives, and sustainable development.
During the visit, PM Modi is expected to participate in bilateral meetings and high-level engagements aimed at expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
On Tuesday, the Indian prime minister will also attend the third India-Nordic Summit, where leaders from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden are scheduled to participate.
India-Nordic Summit to Focus on Green Energy and Technology
The India-Nordic Summit is expected to focus on a broad range of strategic issues including green energy, digitalization, defense cooperation, space technology, Arctic policy, innovation, and sustainable development.
The summit mechanism was launched in 2018 in Stockholm, while the second summit was held in Copenhagen in 2022.
Officials believe the upcoming discussions could further strengthen India’s engagement with the Nordic bloc, which is increasingly viewed as a critical partner in clean technology, climate policy, and advanced innovation ecosystems.
Economic Ties Continue to Expand
Economic cooperation between India and Norway has witnessed steady growth in recent years.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has reached approximately $2.73 billion, reflecting expanding commercial engagement across sectors including shipping, clean energy, seafood, technology, and infrastructure.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has also significantly increased its investments in Indian markets, with total investments estimated at nearly $28 billion.
India’s total trade with the broader Nordic region is currently valued at around $19 billion, highlighting the growing importance of the region in India’s global economic strategy.
Business and Research Cooperation High on Agenda
As part of the visit, PM Modi and Støre are expected to jointly address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit, where discussions will focus on economic partnerships, research collaboration, innovation, and technology exchange.
Analysts say the visit comes at a time when India is seeking to deepen partnerships with technologically advanced economies while expanding cooperation in renewable energy and sustainable industrial development.
The visit is also expected to reinforce diplomatic engagement between India and Nordic countries amid shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics across Europe and Asia.
