New Delhi: Mr Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Ambassadors of Nordic countries on March 16 discussed ways to strengthen ties, including by focusing on sectors such as trade and investment, digital technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum, renewable energy, clean technologies, the Arctic and space.

The discussions took place during a luncheon hosted by Mr George for envoys of Nordic countries in New Delhi. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Mr Randhir Jaiswal said, “Secretary (West) Sibi George hosted a luncheon for Nordic Ambassadors in New Delhi. They discussed ways to further strengthen relations between India and the Nordic countries, focusing on trade and investment, digital technologies, AI, quantum, renewable energy, clean technologies, the Arctic and space. They underscored the importance of leveraging both the India-EU FTA and India-EFTA TEPA.”

The Nordic countries comprise Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Denmark’s Ambassador to India H.E. Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, noted that Nordic nations and India have considerable potential to work together across multiple sectors. “The Nordic Countries and India have a lot to offer each other and the opportunities are even bigger with the EU-India and the India-EFTA FTAs,” Amb. Kristensen posted on X after the meeting.

Earlier in March, Finnish President Alexander Stubb paid a State Visit to India during which ties between India and Finland were elevated to a ‘Strategic Partnership in Digitalisation and Sustainability’.

Mr Stubb was Chief Guest at the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi from March 5 to 7. During the visit, Mr Stubb and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed strong potential for cooperation between the two countries in trade and commerce as well as infrastructure, defence, space, AI, semiconductors, education and other sectors.

“India is delighted to welcome President Stubb of Finland. It is equally gladdening that he is the Chief Guest at this year’s Raisina Dialogue. Our talks today were wide-ranging. We discussed strong potential in trade and commerce, especially after the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Other sectors featured in our discussions include cooperation in technology, infrastructure, defence, space, AI, semiconductors, education and more,” PM Modi posted on X after meeting Stubb.