We stay in an unpredictable world. However unpredictability isn’t the identical as powerlessness. Democracies that share values and belief have each the chance and the accountability to behave collectively. India and Norway are two such democracies.
The principles-based worldwide order constructed after 1945 is beneath strain. Russia’s unlawful conflict in opposition to Ukraine continues. Conflicts within the Center East destabilise neighbouring areas. Commerce routes are disrupted, provide chains fragmented, and competitors over important assets is intensifying. On this panorama, the partnerships that matter most are these constructed on one thing actual: Shared pursuits, shared values, and a willingness to behave.
That is why I sit up for welcoming Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to Oslo on Could 18. It’s the first go to by an Indian PM to Norway since Indira Gandhi in 1983. However greater than symbolism, it marks a second when international locations with complementary strengths select to maneuver nearer collectively.
Our commerce relationship has already taken an vital step ahead. The Commerce and Financial Partnership Settlement (TEPA) between India, Norway and the opposite EFTA international locations entered into drive on October 1, 2025, after 16 years of negotiations. By way of the settlement, the EFTA international locations will goal to mobilise $100 billion in funding into India over the subsequent 15 years and facilitate the creation of 1 million jobs. For Norway, that is among the many most vital commerce agreements now we have ever signed. For India, it’s the first free commerce settlement with European international locations opening Norwegian and EFTA markets to Indian items on preferential phrases.
However commerce is barely a part of the image. Norway and India consider in worldwide legislation as a binding framework, not a menu of choices. The UN Constitution applies equally to all member States. That precept isn’t summary, it’s what permits nations to exist with safety and dignity. When worldwide legislation is violated, as it’s in Ukraine, we should say so clearly.
We additionally share a standard curiosity in holding world commons open. Freedom of navigation by the Strait of Hormuz, by the Indo-Pacific, the world over’s oceans, is important for each our economies. Norway is a maritime nation. India is changing into one of many world’s main naval powers.
On expertise, the convergence is equally clear. Each international locations are creating frameworks for accountable Synthetic Intelligence. Each perceive that the transition to wash vitality requires not solely political will, however new industrial capability. Norway has constructed experience in carbon seize and storage, offshore wind, and hydrogen. India has the dimensions, the engineering capability, and the ambition to deploy renewable applied sciences at a velocity the world wants. In Oslo, we are going to elevate the Norway-India relationship to a inexperienced strategic partnership. This isn’t a declaration; it’s a working construction for cooperation in areas the place each international locations can contribute one thing the opposite wants.
Norway and India don’t at all times see every part the identical means. We don’t must. What we share is extra vital: A perception that the world is best with extra cooperation, that commerce, expertise and political will can carry individuals out of poverty, and that democracies have a selected accountability to reveal that our open societies ship a greater society for all.
This go to is a chance. We intend to make use of it.
Jonas Gahr Støre is Prime Minister of Norway. The views expressed are private
