PM Modi meets Iceland Premier in Oslo as India deepens Nordic engagement

Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday local time held a bilateral meeting with Iceland Premier Kristrun Mjoll Frostadottir ahead of the third IndiaNordic Summit in Oslo NorwayPM Modi is scheduled to participate in the summit alongside his counterparts from Norway Denmark Finland Iceland and SwedenThe summit aims to further strengthen Indiarsquos engagement with the Nordic countries and build upon the frameworks established during the previous IndiaNordic Summits held in Stockholm in 2018 and Copenhagen in 2022Earlier in the day PM Modi said India and Norway had elevated their bilateral relationship to a ldquogreen strategic partnershiprdquo following talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in OsloIn a post on X the Prime Minister described the discussions as ldquofruitful conversationsrdquo and said cooperation in clean and sustainable sectors emerged as a major outcome of the meetingldquoOne of the most important highlights was the upgrading of our bilateral partnership to a green strategic partnership which will strengthen cooperation within clean energy sustainable growth the blue economy and green shipping as well as several other areasrdquo PM Modi saidIndia Norway sign 12 agreements during PM Modirsquos visitHe added that both countries also explored ways to deepen collaboration in ldquoinnovation research education health services and skills developmentrdquoPM Modi also welcomed Norwayrsquos decision to join the IndoPacific Oceans InitiativeldquoIt is gratifying to see Norway join the IndoPacific Oceans Initiativerdquo he saidOn Monday India and Norway signed 12 agreements and initiatives during PM Modirsquos official visit to the Nordic country marking a major expansion of cooperation in climate technology maritime affairs and scientific researchBoth countries also agreed to elevate ties to a Green Strategic Partnership highlighting their shared commitment to sustainable development clean energy transition and green industrial growthAccording to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs a Joint Statement was adopted focusing on climate action circular economy initiatives and leveraging Norwegian technological expertise along with Indiarsquos manufacturing capabilities and scaleBlue economy digital infrastructure and space ties in focus during PM Modis visitAmong the major developments Norway formally joined the IndoPacific Oceans Initiative strengthening maritime cooperation and reaffirming support for a free open and prosperous IndoPacific regionIndia will also participate in NorShipping 2027 with a dedicated India Pavilion to boost cooperation in the blue economy including shipbuilding green shipping technologies and modern port infrastructureIn the space sector both countries signed an agreement on the peaceful exploration and use of outer space aimed at enhancing institutional cooperation between space agencies and encouraging investments in the sectorA key outcome of the visit was the launch of the IndiaNorway Digital Development Partnership which seeks to enhance collaboration on digital public infrastructure digital public goods and open digital ecosystemsThe initiative is expected to support Indiarsquos Digital India mission and facilitate DPIled transformation in countries of the Global South in partnership with NorwayPM Modi is currently in Norway as part of the fourth leg of his fivenation tour He arrived in Oslo after visiting the United Arab Emirates Netherlands and SwedenWith ANI inputs