Modi, Iceland PM Frostadottir meet in Oslo to boost clean energy and fisheries ties
Synopsis
On the sidelines of the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, Modi met Iceland's youngest-ever PM Frostadottir for the first time, centering talks on geothermal energy, carbon capture, fisheries, and the newly operative India-EFTA TEPA — a trade pact that could reshape India's economic engagement with northern Europe. Iceland's backing for India's permanent UN Security Council seat adds a diplomatic dimension that goes well beyond bilateral trade.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi and Iceland PM Kristrun Frostadottir held their first-ever bilateral meeting on 19 May 2025 in Oslo .
Talks covered clean energy , geothermal energy , fisheries , carbon capture and storage , Arctic research , and Blue Economy cooperation.
The India-EFTA TEPA , now in effect, was identified as a key driver for trade, investment, and manufacturing collaboration.
Iceland has backed India's bid for a permanent seat on the expanded UN Security Council .
Diplomatic ties between India and Iceland date to 1972 ; resident missions were established in 2006 (New Delhi) and 2008 (Reykjavik).
Modi invited Frostadottir to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Iceland Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir held bilateral talks on 19 May 2025 on the sidelines of the third India-Nordic Summit in Oslo, focusing on expanding cooperation in clean energy, geothermal energy, fisheries, carbon capture and storage, and sustainability. The meeting marked the first in-person engagement between the two leaders since Frostadottir took office as Iceland's youngest-ever Prime Minister.
Key Developments from the Bilateral
Modi congratulated Frostadottir on her historic distinction as the youngest Prime Minister in Iceland's history. The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation, including innovative technologies, creative economy, culture, tourism, mobility, people-to-people contacts, and Arctic research. Modi also extended a formal invitation to Frostadottir to visit India at a mutually convenient time.
What Modi Said
Following the meeting, Modi posted on X: 'Had a wonderful meeting with Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir of Iceland. India deeply values the friendship with Iceland. We talked about ways to improve ties in areas such as clean energy, fisheries, sustainability, geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage and more. Iceland's prowess in sectors relating to the Blue Economy is admirable. We are hopeful that the historic India-EFTA TEPA will give an impetus to trade and investment linkages as well.'
India-EFTA TEPA and Trade Potential
A central focus of the talks was the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which has since come into effect. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both leaders acknowledged that TEPA 'provides an excellent opportunity to unlock the true bilateral potential in trade, investment, and manufacturing collaboration.' Iceland is one of four EFTA member states alongside Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
Diplomatic Background
India and Iceland established diplomatic relations in 1972, with resident missions opening in New Delhi in 2006 and in Reykjavik in 2008. The MEA noted that bilateral ties are grounded in shared values of democracy, equality, human rights, and rule of law. Notably, Iceland has extended its support to India's candidature for a permanent seat on an expanded UN Security Council — a significant diplomatic endorsement.
Who Was in the Room
The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, signalling the strategic weight New Delhi attached to the engagement. The Oslo summit provided Modi a concentrated window for multiple Nordic bilateral meetings, with the Iceland session among the most substantive given the TEPA backdrop.
The two sides are expected to follow up on sectoral cooperation frameworks in the coming months, with Frostadottir's potential India visit likely to serve as the next milestone in the relationship.
Point of View
But the India-EFTA TEPA context gives it real economic weight — this is one of the few free trade frameworks India has signed in years, and Iceland's Blue Economy expertise in geothermal and fisheries fills gaps that India's own industrial base cannot quickly close. Iceland's endorsement of India's permanent UN Security Council seat, quietly reaffirmed here, is also a signal worth tracking: small Nordic democracies carry disproportionate credibility in multilateral forums. The harder question is whether TEPA's investment commitments will translate into actual project pipelines, or remain aspirational language in joint statements.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi and Iceland PM Frostadottir discuss in Oslo?
The two leaders met on 19 May 2025 in Oslo on the sidelines of the third India-Nordic Summit and discussed cooperation in clean energy, geothermal energy, fisheries, carbon capture and storage, Arctic research, and the Blue Economy. They also reviewed the trade opportunities opened by the India-EFTA TEPA.
What is the India-EFTA TEPA and why does it matter for India-Iceland ties?
The India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is a trade and investment pact between India and the four EFTA nations — Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein — that has recently come into effect. Both Modi and Frostadottir identified it as a key framework to unlock bilateral potential in trade, investment, and manufacturing.
Is this the first meeting between Modi and Frostadottir?
Yes, this was the first meeting between PM Modi and PM Frostadottir since she assumed office. Modi congratulated her on becoming the youngest Prime Minister in Iceland's history during the bilateral.
Has Iceland supported India's UN Security Council bid?
Yes, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, Iceland has extended support to India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council — a position reaffirmed in the context of this bilateral meeting.
When were diplomatic relations between India and Iceland established?
India and Iceland established diplomatic relations in 1972. Resident missions were subsequently opened in New Delhi in 2006 and in Reykjavik in 2008, with ties grounded in shared values of democracy, equality, human rights, and rule of law.
