India–Sweden Dialogue Highlights Strategic Gateway to India–Nordic Engagement

Stockholm April 4, 2025

Embassy of India in Stockholm in collaboration with the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA) at the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) hosted a dialogue “India-Sweden Ties as a Gateway to #IndiaNordicEngagement: A Six-fold Approach to Cooperation”. 

30 speakers participated in 4 key sessions and included dignitaries from Swedish Parliament, Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stakeholders from India and Nordics. 

The dialogue between India and Sweden highlighted the growing potential for enhancing bilateral ties and fostering broader India-Nordic relations. Policymakers and strategic analysts from both countries discussed six key areas for cooperation: Science & Technology, Innovation, Energy, Sustainable Development, Defense, and Trade Economics. The dialogue emphasized how India-Sweden collaboration can serve as a model for deepening engagement with other Nordic countries, offering opportunities for mutual growth and innovation.

With over 280 Swedish companies operating in India, the partnership is poised for further expansion, especially in sectors such as renewable energy, defense, and technology. The focus is on strengthening defense cooperation, boosting joint renewable energy projects, and fostering innovation hubs to accelerate progress in these critical areas. The discussions also stressed the need for more open dialogue to encourage Indian businesses to explore opportunities in Sweden and support potential trade agreements between India and the EU.

The event underscored the importance of deepening India-Nordic relations, with India-Sweden ties seen as a gateway to broader strategic partnerships in the region. As the global landscape continues to evolve, these enhanced partnerships in trade, technology, and sustainability are expected to play a key role in shaping future collaborations.

A keynote speech was delivered by Secretary General and President, Sweden-India Business Council (SIBC). Special remarks were made by Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, India, Government of India, and Swedish Members of Parliament Stefan Olsson and  Rashid Farivar. The event was inaugurated by Rakesh Tiwari, Chargè d’affaires, Embassy of India in Sweden,  Niklas Swanstrom, Executive Director, ISDP, Sweden.  Jagannath Panda, Head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, welcomed the participants.