**Executive Summary**
This press statement details the elevation of India-Norway relations to a "Green Strategic Partnership" during the Prime Minister’s visit on May 18, 2026. The partnership focuses on implementing the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which targets $100 billion in investment and the creation of one million jobs in India over 15 years. Key action items include signing a space cooperation MoU and launching triangular development projects for the Global South.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Economic and Trade Cooperation**
* Implementation of the historic Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Free Trade Association.
* Commitment to bring $100 billion in investment into India over the next 15 years.
* Goal to generate one million jobs in India through shared economic progress.
* **Green Strategic Partnership**
* Collaboration on global solutions for clean energy, climate resilience, and the blue economy.
* Integration of India’s scale and talent with Norway’s technology and capital.
* Focus on advancing green shipping and sustainable industrial practices.
* **Innovation and Technology**
* Expansion of research cooperation in sustainability, ocean energy, geology, and health.
* Connectivity between universities and startup ecosystems in AI, cyber, and digital technologies.
* Increased cooperation in skill development and talent mobility.
* **Space and Arctic Research**
* Formalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Norwegian Space Agency.
* Continued support for "Himadri," India’s Arctic research station, to study climate change and fragile ecosystems.
* **Global Diplomacy and Maritime Security**
* Norway’s official inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
* Conclusion of a triangular development cooperation agreement to assist the Global South via India’s Digital Public Infrastructure projects.
* Joint commitment to a rules-based order, global institution reform, and the elimination of terrorism.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian and Norwegian Businesses**
* **Impact:** Companies gain access to new markets and collaborative opportunities in green shipping, clean energy, and digital technologies.
* **Action Required:** Align corporate strategies with the Green Strategic Partnership and utilize the investment frameworks provided by the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
**Academic and Research Institutions**
* **Impact:** Enhanced cooperation and connectivity between universities and startup ecosystems in both nations.
* **Action Required:** Develop joint research programs in areas such as AI, sustainability, and geology, and facilitate increased talent mobility.
**ISRO and the Norwegian Space Agency**
* **Impact:** Space cooperation is reaching "new dimensions" through a formalized MoU.
* **Action Required:** Execute the specific collaborative projects outlined in the newly signed MoU.
**Countries of the Global South**
* **Impact:** These nations will benefit from human development initiatives funded and supported by the India-Norway triangular cooperation.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate with India and Norway on the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement: A historic agreement between India and EFTA aiming to bring $100 billion in investment and create one million jobs over fifteen years.
Green Strategic Partnership: A bilateral framework between India and Norway focusing on clean energy, climate resilience, blue economy, and green shipping.
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative: A regional maritime initiative which Norway joined to strengthen cooperation in marine economy, maritime security, and capacity building.
Digital Public Infrastructure: Indian projects utilized under a triangular development cooperation agreement to contribute to human development in the Global South.
European Free Trade Association (EFTA): The intergovernmental organization that implemented the historic Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with India.
Prime Minister's Office
English Translation of Prime Minister’s Press
Statement during the Joint Press Statement with
the Prime Minister of Norway
Posted On: 18 MAY 2026 5:37PM by PIB Delhi
Your Excellency Prime Minister of Norway,
Delegates from both countries,
Friends from the media,
Namaskaar!
I am delighted to visit Norway. This beautiful country is a wonderful example of nature and human
progress in harmony.
First and foremost, I sincerely thank the Prime Minister for this warm and gracious welcome. And on the
important occasion of Norway’s Constitution Day, which was yesterday, I extend my heartfelt wishes, on
behalf of the world’s largest democracy, to the people of the strong and vibrant democracy of Norway.
I was scheduled to visit Norway last year, but the trip had to be postponed due to the terrorist attack in
Pahalgam. During that difficult time, Norway stood firmly with India against terrorism, reflecting the
strength of our friendship. Today, as I visit Norway, I express my heartfelt gratitude for that support and
solidarity.
Friends,
Today, the world is passing through a period of instability and uncertainty. Whether it is Ukraine or West
Asia, many parts of the world continue to face conflict. At such a time, India and Europe are entering a
new golden era in their relationship.
Last year, India and the European Free Trade Association implemented a historic Trade and Economic
Partnership Agreement. This agreement is a blueprint for ensuring shared progress and prosperity between
India and Norway. Under this agreement, the target is to bring 100 billion dollars of investment into India
and create one million jobs over the next fifteen years. Today, both sides took several important decisions
to translate the promise of this agreement into tangible outcomes.
Friends,
Today, we are elevating India – Norway relations into a Green Strategic Partnership. Through this strategic
partnership, our companies will develop global solutions across sectors - from clean energy to climate
resilience, and from the blue economy to green shipping - by combining India’s scale, speed, and talent
with Norway’s technology and capital.Friends,
Research, education, and innovation are also emerging as strong pillars of our relationship. Today, we
agreed to expand research cooperation in areas such as sustainability, ocean energy, geology, and health.
In sectors such as engineering, AI, cyber, and digital technologies, we will connect our universities and
startup ecosystems to make our partnership future ready. Our cooperation in skill development and talent
mobility is also set to expand further.
Friends,
Norway is an important country in the Arctic region. We have a long-standing cooperation in Arctic and
polar research. We are grateful to Norway for supporting the operations of India’s Arctic research station,
"Himadri”. The MoU being signed today between Indian Space Research Organisation and the Norwegian
Space Agency will also give new dimensions to our space cooperation.
Through deeper cooperation in all these areas, our scientists will contribute to understanding climate
change, protecting fragile ecosystems, and securing the future of humanity.
Friends,
The Green Strategic Partnership between India and Norway will be beneficial for the entire world. We are
very pleased that Norway is joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative today.
As two major maritime nations, we will work together to strengthen cooperation in the marine economy,
maritime security, and capacity building. Today, we concluded a triangular development cooperation
agreement. Together, we will now contribute to human development in countries of the Global South
through India’s Digital Public Infrastructure projects.
Friends,
India and Norway both believe in a rules-based order, dialogue, and diplomacy. We are in agreement that
no issue can be resolved through military conflict. Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia, we support and will
continue to support, every effort toward an early end to the conflicts and the restoration of peace.
We are also in agreement that reform of global institutions is essential to address the growing global
challenges. And eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is our shared commitment.
Excellency,
From the Arctic to outer space, from green shipping to blue economy, and from energy security to food
security, our cooperation is reaching new frontiers. Let us write a new chapter of a trusted, futuristic, and
long-term partnership through our Green Strategic Partnership.
Thank you very much.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's address. Original address
was delivered in Hindi.***
MJPS/SS/ST
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