English translation of Prime Minister’s Press Statement at the European Round Table for Industry

Prime Minister's Office English translation of Prime Minister’s Press Statement at the European Round Table for Industry

Posted On: 17 MAY 2026 11:43PM by PIB Delhi Your Excellency, Prime Minister Kristersson, Your Excellency, Ursula, Delegates from both countries, Friends from the media, Namaskaar! First of all, I sincerely thank Prime Minister Kristersson for his warm welcome.

A short while ago, I was conferred with Sweden’s highest honour, the Royal Order of the Polar Star. This honour is not just mine; it is an honour for 1.4 billion Indians. It is also a tribute to all our friends in Sweden who have enriched India - Sweden relations and provided them with a strong foundation.

I express special gratitude to Ursula ji for joining today’s programme which gives special significance to my visit to Gothenburg, the industrial heartland of Sweden and Europe.

Friends, The relationship between India and Sweden is built on strong foundations of democratic values, the rule of law, and human-centric development. Both our countries see innovation as a driver of growth, sustainability as a shared responsibility, and democracy as our strength.

In today’s meeting, we discussed taking our cooperation forward based on these shared values and common interests. As our partnership is growing across all sectors, we decided to raise our relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership. Under this partnership, we will move ahead in key areas such as green transition, defence, emerging technologies, and people-to-people connections.

Friends, There is tremendous potential for cooperation between us in high-tech sectors such as AI, health-tech, and green mobility. A large business delegation from Sweden participated in the AI Impact Summit held in India this year. We will work on concrete initiatives to strengthen the "Sweden–India Technology and AI Corridor.” To strengthen connections between the startups and research ecosystems of both countries, we are going toestablish the India - Sweden Science and Technology Centre.

There is also strong convergence between India and Sweden in our thinking on climate change and sustainability. The Leadership Group for Industry Transition, or LeadIT, is our joint global initiative under which we are focusing on low-carbon industrial transformation. Today, we decided to work on its third phase.

India is doing major work in areas like green hydrogen, the circular economy, and sustainable infrastructure. By bringing together Sweden’s technology and India’s scale, we can create climate solutions that benefit the whole world. India and Sweden’s cooperation in the Arctic region is also playing an important role in improving global understanding of climate change.

Friends, Our cooperation in the defence sector is steadily growing. The setting up of manufacturing facilities in India by Swedish companies shows that our partnership is moving beyond a buyer-seller relationship and becoming a long-term industrial collaboration.

Friends, Ursulaji’s presence today makes this occasion even more special. During her visit to India earlier this year in January, we took several historic decisions to strengthen India-EU relations further. I am happy to see that good progress is being made on all those outcomes.

The India-EU FTA will create new opportunities for industries, investors, and innovators. As Ursulaji said, this is the "Mother of all deals.” The Security and Defence Partnership and the Mobility Agreement have given new strength to our strategic and people-centric partnership. The India-EU Trade and Technology Council has further deepened our cooperation. We are working together in areas such as digital technology, clean energy, semiconductors, resilient supply chains, and innovation.

Political, economic, and strategic convergence between India and Europe is important for peace and stability across the world.

Friends, In today’s tense global environment, close cooperation between democracies like India and Sweden holds special significance. We have always emphasized dialogue and diplomacy as the means to resolve various tensions and challenges.

India and Sweden agree that terrorism is a grave challenge for all humanity. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Kristersson for the support we received from Sweden after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year. We will continue our fight against terrorism and those who support it.

Excellencies, Once again, I thank you for today’s meaningful discussions. I am fully confident that through our shared efforts, India-Sweden and India-Europe partnerships will continue to move forward, and together we willkeep contributing to global peace, security, and prosperity.

Thank you very much.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's address. Original address was delivered in Hindi. *** MJPS/SS/VJ (Release ID: 2262094) Visitor Counter : 415

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