Addressing a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo, Modi said the world is passing through a period of uncertainty and stressed the need for diplomacy and dialogue to resolve ongoing global conflicts.
“Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we support the urgent conclusion of these conflicts and back diplomacy and dialogue. Military conflict cannot bring any solution,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also underlined the need for reforms in international institutions to better address emerging global challenges.
Modi thanked Norway for its strong stand against terrorism and said cooperation between India and the Nordic region was expanding rapidly.
“India and Europe are stepping into the golden age of their relationship,” he said, highlighting growing strategic and economic cooperation.
During the visit, Norway announced plans to invest nearly $100 billion in India, giving a major boost to bilateral economic ties.
Earlier in the day, Modi arrived in Oslo as part of his four-nation Europe tour and was received at the airport by Støre and senior Norwegian leaders. This marks Modi’s first visit to Norway and the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Scandinavian nation in 43 years.
In a post on X, Modi said he was confident the visit would “add vigour to the India-Norway friendship”.
During his two-day trip, Modi is scheduled to meet King Harald V and Queen Sonja and hold bilateral discussions with the Norwegian leadership on trade, investment, green transition, technology and innovation.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders will review progress in bilateral ties and explore ways to further strengthen cooperation. Bilateral trade between India and Norway stood at around USD 2.73 billion in 2024.
Modi will also participate in the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo on Tuesday alongside the leaders of Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. The summit is expected to deepen India’s strategic engagement with Nordic countries and build on previous meetings held in Stockholm in 2018 and Copenhagen in 2022.
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