India and Iceland Strengthen Ties Through Parliamentary Dialogue
Synopsis
In an important meeting, India's Sibi George and Iceland's Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir discussed key bilateral issues and parliamentary exchanges, aiming to enhance cooperation in trade, renewable energy, and more.
Key Takeaways
Sibi George met with Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir to discuss bilateral relations.
The meeting aimed to strengthen ties in trade, investment, and renewable energy .
The fourth round of Foreign Office Consultations took place in Reykjavik.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors.
Discussions included regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Reykjavik, March 24 (NationPress) - The Secretary (West) of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, met with the Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament, Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir, on Tuesday to explore various issues of mutual interest, as well as the significance of parliamentary exchanges.
In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal remarked, "Today, Secretary (West) Sibi George met with the Speaker of Alþingi, Mrs. Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir."
"They deliberated on matters of common interest within bilateral, regional, and multilateral contexts, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary collaborations," he continued.
Earlier, on Monday, India and Iceland conducted the fourth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Reykjavik, where they evaluated their bilateral cooperation. The two nations committed to enhancing their partnership in various sectors, including trade and investment, renewable energy—particularly geothermal energy—fisheries, and fostering people-to-people connections.
Sibi George co-chaired the meeting alongside Martin Eyjólfsson, the Permanent Secretary of State in Iceland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jaiswal shared on X, "The 4th India-Iceland Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) convened today in Reykjavik, where Secretary (West) Sibi George co-chaired the session with Permanent Secretary of State Mr. Martin Eyjólfsson."
"They reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and agreed to further its enhancement in areas like trade & investment, renewable energy—including geothermal energy—fisheries, and people-to-people relationships. They also highlighted that the India-EFTA-TEPA has initiated a new chapter in economic and commercial relations while agreeing to amplify business linkages. The discussions also included regional and global topics of shared interest," he added.
On March 22, Sibi George engaged with Iceland's Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir, addressing issues pertinent to bilateral, regional, and multilateral interests.
Following the meeting, Randhir Jaiswal noted on X, "Secretary (West) Sibi George met with Foreign Minister of Iceland, Ms. Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir. They discussed various bilateral, regional, and multilateral topics, including the advancements made in recent years, particularly in geothermal energy, fisheries, and clean energy sectors. They also emphasized the implementation of the India-EFTA TEPA."
Point of View
Which could pave the way for enhanced economic and cultural exchanges.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics were discussed during the meeting?
The meeting focused on bilateral, regional, and multilateral relations, emphasizing parliamentary exchanges and cooperation in trade, renewable energy, and fisheries.
Who were the key figures in the discussions?
The key figures included Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the MEA, and Thorunn Sveinbjarnardottir, Speaker of the Icelandic Parliament.
What is the significance of the India-EFTA TEPA?
The India-EFTA TEPA is expected to enhance economic and commercial ties between India and Iceland, fostering greater business linkages.
