Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic reception from the Indian community in Oslo as he arrived in Norway for a historic State visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations.
Members of the Indian diaspora gathered in large numbers to welcome the Prime Minister, waving Indian flags and chanting slogans in support of him. The atmosphere outside the venue turned festive as cultural performances and traditional Indian music marked the occasion. PM Modi interacted warmly with members of the community and appreciated the efforts of young performers who presented a Bharatanatyam dance recital in his honor.
Earlier, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store personally welcomed PM Modi at the airport, underlining the significance of the visit. The trip marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in more than four decades, making it a key moment in bilateral relations.
Following his arrival, PM Modi expressed gratitude for the warm reception and voiced confidence that the visit would help deepen cooperation between India and Norway. He stated that the visit would create fresh opportunities to strengthen friendship and collaboration across several sectors.
During the two-day visit, PM Modi is scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Store and meet Norway’s King Harald V and Queen Sonja. He will also participate in the third India-Nordic Summit, where leaders from Nordic countries are expected to discuss economic partnerships, sustainability, innovation, and regional cooperation.
The Prime Minister is also set to address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit alongside his Norwegian counterpart. The summit is expected to focus on boosting trade, investment opportunities, clean energy collaboration, green technologies, and the blue economy.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs described Norway as an important partner and said the visit would inject fresh momentum into the bilateral relationship. Officials noted that discussions would also center on expanding cooperation under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.
The two nations currently share bilateral trade valued at nearly $2.73 billion, while Norway’s Government Pension Fund has invested close to $28 billion in India’s capital markets. Analysts believe the visit could open new pathways for investment, business partnerships, and technological cooperation.
PM Modi arrived in Norway after concluding his visit to Sweden, continuing India’s broader diplomatic outreach to Nordic countries and reinforcing strategic engagement in areas linked to sustainability, innovation, and economic growth.
