**Executive Summary**
On 17 May 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) in Gothenburg to strengthen India-Europe economic and strategic cooperation. The address highlighted the successful conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations and the transformative potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Key action items include the Prime Minister's proposal to establish an annual India-Europe CEOs Round-table and a dedicated India Desk at the ERT.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Strategic Economic Partnerships**
* Announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost trade, technology, and services.
* Highlighted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a critical project for adding value to business partnerships.
* Emphasized the importance of building resilient, diversified supply chains and trusted partnerships in a complex global environment.
* **Investment and Manufacturing Initiatives**
* Reiterated the national vision: "Design for India, Make in India and Export from India."
* Promoted India as a premier destination for investment due to rapid economic growth, digital public infrastructure, and ease of doing business.
* Invited European engagement in next-generation economic reforms and the transforming infrastructure sector.
* **Sector-Specific Collaboration**
* Identified high-growth areas for partnership: AI, semiconductors, electronics, deep tech manufacturing, and telecom.
* Focused on the green transition, seeking investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and nuclear power.
* Encouraged cooperation in healthcare, life sciences, mobility, and urban transformation.
* **Human Capital and Institutional Growth**
* Underlined the need for talent mobility, education, and skill-based partnerships utilizing India’s young workforce.
* Proposed the institutionalization of an annual India-Europe CEOs Round-table.
* Suggested the creation of a dedicated "India Desk" within the ERT to facilitate ongoing cooperation.
**Impact Analysis**
**European Industry Leaders and Companies**
**Impact:** They gain access to a transformative economic partnership through the FTA and new manufacturing opportunities under the "Make in India" initiative.
**Action Required:** Deepen engagement with Indian partners and explore investment opportunities in sectors such as green energy, AI, and digital infrastructure.
**European Round Table for Industry (ERT)**
**Impact:** The organization is positioned as a primary platform for strengthening India-Europe industrial ties and technological collaboration.
**Action Required:** Evaluate and implement the Prime Minister’s suggestions to establish a dedicated India Desk and organize annual CEO-level interactions.
**Indian Companies and Workforce**
**Impact:** Increased potential for technology transfer, innovation partnerships, and enhanced global mobility for skilled professionals.
**Action Required:** Align manufacturing and design capabilities with global standards to support the "Export from India" vision and participate in upcoming innovation partnerships.
**Governmental and Regulatory Bodies (India and EU)**
**Impact:** A reaffirmed shared commitment to sustainable growth and the implementation of the landmark Free Trade Agreement.
**Action Required:** Finalize the operational frameworks for the FTA and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to facilitate trade.
Key Entities Referenced
European Round Table for Industry (ERT): A high-level forum of European industrial leaders that served as the primary platform for the Prime Minister to advocate for strengthened India-Europe economic and industrial cooperation.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement: A landmark economic partnership agreement mentioned as having successfully concluded negotiations to create opportunities in trade, manufacturing, and technology.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): A strategic connectivity project highlighted for its potential to enhance business partnerships and infrastructure links between India and Europe.
European Commission: The executive branch of the European Union, identified as a key partner in negotiating trade agreements and fostering strategic convergence with India.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister addresses the European Round
Table for Industry (ERT)
Posted On: 18 MAY 2026 12:12AM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) in
Gothenburg on 17 May 2026. Prime Minister of Sweden, H.E. Mr. Ulf Kristersson, President of the
European Commission H.E. Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, senior European industry leaders, and
representatives from leading European and Indian companies participated in the interaction hosted by the
Volvo Group.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the growing strategic convergence between India
and Europe and underscored the importance of trusted partnerships in an increasingly complex and
uncertain global environment.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the growing momentum in India-EU relations, including the successful
conclusion of negotiations of the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement. He described the agreement
as a transformative economic partnership that would create new opportunities in trade, technology,
manufacturing, services and resilient supply chains. He also noted that connectivity projects such as India-
Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor ( IMEC) add new value to India-Europe business partnership.
Prime Minister underlined that India today represents one of the world’s most attractive destinations for
investment, innovation and manufacturing. He highlighted India’s rapid economic growth, next generation
economic reforms, ease of doing business focus in governance, expanding digital public infrastructure,
vibrant manufacturing ecosystem and rapidly transforming infrastructure sector. He reiterated India’s
vision of "Design for India, Make in India and Export from India” and invited European companies to
deepen their engagement with India as a trusted and reliable economic partner.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India and Europe must work together to build resilient and
diversified supply chains. He highlighted India’s ambitious infrastructure and energy transformation,
including large-scale investments in transport, logistics, renewable energy, green hydrogen and nuclear
power. He invited European industry leaders to partner with India in areas such as telecom and digital
infrastructure; AI, semiconductors, electronics, and deep tech manufacturing; green transition and clean
energy; infrastructure, mobility and urban transformation; and healthcare and life sciences.
Prime Minister Modi also underlined the importance of talent mobility, education and skill partnerships
between India and Europe. He highlighted India’s young and skilled workforce as a major strength for
future global economic growth and emphasized the need to deepen people-to-people ties and innovation
partnerships.
Prime Minister suggested to hold India-Europe CEOs Round-table annually and also to create an India
Desk at ERT. The interaction provided an important platform for exchanging views on strengthening
India-Europe economic and industrial cooperation and reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and
Europe to sustainable growth, technological collaboration and resilient global partnerships.***
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