PM Modi Heads To Sweden; His Two-Day Visit To Focus On AI, Green Transition, Trade

Last Updated:May 17, 2026, 13:41 IST

PM Modi’s Sweden visit will focus on expanding India-Sweden cooperation in AI, green transition, defence, innovation and trade, with bilateral talks planned with Swedish PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Sweden on May 17 and 18 as part of his ongoing five-nation tour, with the visit expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in innovation, green technologies, trade, defence and emerging sectors.

The visit comes at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and marks PM Modi’s second trip to Sweden after his landmark 2018 visit for the first-ever India-Nordic Summit.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit aims to “review the entire gamut of bilateral relations" and identify new areas of cooperation amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges.

Officials said discussions between the two leaders will centre around artificial intelligence, resilient supply chains, climate action, startups, defence manufacturing, space cooperation and people-to-people ties.

BILATERAL TALKS WITH SWEDISH PM

PM Modi is scheduled to hold both restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Kristersson in Gothenburg, a city widely regarded as Sweden’s industrial and innovation hub.

Indian Ambassador to Sweden Anurag Bhushan said the visit has generated “a lot of enthusiasm" in Sweden, especially in Gothenburg, which hosts major industries, universities and research institutions.

Bhushan said the two Prime Ministers will discuss ways to deepen cooperation across sectors and further boost trade and investments between the two countries.

He also highlighted the growing Indian diaspora presence in Gothenburg and Sweden’s increasing engagement with Indian talent and technology ecosystems.

As per MEA details, bilateral trade between India and Sweden has reached nearly USD 7.75 billion in 2025, while Swedish foreign direct investment into India has touched around USD 2.825 billion between 2000 and 2025.

FOCUS ON AI, GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

A major thrust of the visit will be on future-oriented sectors, including AI, automation, sustainability and green transition technologies.

Sweden is regarded as one of Europe’s leading innovation-driven economies, and both nations are expected to expand strategic cooperation in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Ahead of the visit, several Swedish industry leaders underlined India’s growing importance as an innovation and manufacturing destination.

Volvo Group Chief Technology Officer Jens Holtinger described PM Modi’s visit as a “great honour" and said India has become a major platform for the company’s future growth.

He noted that Volvo employs nearly 5,000 people in India and operates its second-largest global R&D centre there.

Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director of Volvo Group India, said Swedish businesses are optimistic about India’s economic growth, domestic demand and skilled workforce, particularly in the digital and manufacturing sectors.

He said the Prime Minister’s visit would “open up further opportunities for business on both sides".

Industry representatives also highlighted the ongoing India-Sweden collaboration in automation and smart manufacturing technologies.

Vinay Dhar of CONSAT Engineering said the partnership is helping bring advanced industrial technologies to India to support economic growth and modernisation.

EUROPEAN BUSINESS OUTREACH

One of the key highlights of the Sweden visit will be PM Modi’s participation in the European Round Table for Industry, a leading pan-European platform comprising top CEOs from across Europe.

PM Modi and PM Kristersson are expected to jointly address the forum alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

According to Ambassador Bhushan, the interaction with European business leaders will focus on enhancing trade and investment ties between India and Europe.

Discussions are expected around AI, emerging technologies, green transition and resilient supply chains.

The Prime Minister is also expected to hold separate engagements with select Swedish CEOs during the visit to explore investment opportunities and industrial cooperation.

PART OF BROADER EUROPE OUTREACH

The Sweden leg forms part of PM Modi’s wider diplomatic outreach across Europe and the Gulf, which includes visits to the UAE, the Netherlands, Norway and Italy.

The MEA has described the tour as an effort to deepen India’s strategic and economic partnerships amid shifting global dynamics.

Following Sweden, PM Modi will travel to Norway for the third India-Nordic Summit, where leaders from Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are expected to deliberate on technology, renewable energy, defence, sustainability and Arctic cooperation.

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