Sweden and India Launch Strategic Partnership to Double Trade and Strengthen Cooperation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden, on an official visit aimed at launching a new strategic partnership between the two nations to enhance bilateral ties across multiple sectors. Welcomed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at Landvetter Airport on May 17, 2026, the visit highlights growing collaboration particularly in trade, innovation, green transition, and security policy.

The landmark agreement sets a goal to double economic exchange—both trade and investments—between Sweden and India within five years. Prime Minister Kristersson announced the pact during a press conference, emphasizing the significance of expanding Swedish business presence in India. Currently, over 300 Swedish companies operate in India, while Indian investment in Sweden is rising. The EU-India free trade agreement is projected to generate approximately 22,730 new jobs across Sweden, including over 3,200 in Gothenburg alone.

Key cooperation areas include a joint space mission to Venus, technology innovation, defense talks, and maritime security exercises. The partnership mirrors Sweden’s recent agreement with Canada but is tailored to the rapid economic growth of India, whose nearly 1.5 billion population makes it the world's sixth-largest economy—about 5.5 times Sweden’s GDP. Modi praised Gothenburg as an industrial hub and reiterated India's commitment to democratic values alongside defense cooperation.

While addressing questions on India's continued oil purchases from Russia amid the Ukraine conflict, Kristersson acknowledged India's historical ties with Russia but underscored the importance of seeking a negotiated peace to the war.

The visit represents the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Modi's previous visit in 2018 and notably the first since Rajiv Gandhi in 1988. Extensive security measures were implemented across Gothenburg and the Landvetter area to safeguard the event. Overall, this strategic partnership bolsters Sweden’s engagement with one of the world’s fastest growing economies and expands opportunities for mutual economic growth and cooperation in cutting-edge sectors.