Outgoing Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, on Friday, 18 September 2026, described the bilateral relationship between Norway and India as deepening steadily, citing expanding business ties, shared democratic values, and the landmark elevation of the partnership to a Green Strategic Partnership earlier this year. Stener, who is completing her three-year tenure in New Delhi, reflected on what she described as a period of remarkable transformation in the India-Norway relationship.

A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values

Ambassador Stener emphasised that the growing relationship between the two nations goes beyond commerce. 'The relationship between Norway and India is very good, and it is a relation which is growing and getting stronger by the day,' she said. She pointed to the convergence of democratic values as a bedrock of the partnership, noting: 'We are all democratic countries. So, it's based on shared values. We all believe in a rules-based world order and also happy to work with India on these issues in this world that is now more uncertain than it has been for a long time.'

Her remarks come against the backdrop of increasing global geopolitical turbulence, in which democracies have sought to reinforce multilateral ties and coalitions built around rules-based frameworks.

Modi's Norway Visit and the Green Strategic Partnership

Stener identified Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Norway in May 2026 as a defining highlight of her tenure. During the visit, PM Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store upgraded bilateral ties to a Green Strategic Partnership on the sidelines of the India-Nordic Summit in Oslo. The summit also brought together the Prime Ministers of other Nordic nations, reinforcing the region's collective engagement with India.

'That was definitely a highlight. But there have been many other highlights as well,' she added, describing the elevation as a formal recognition of the broadening and deepening of India-Norway relations over recent years.

Business and Trade Ties Gaining Momentum

On the economic front, Stener pointed to growing Norwegian business interest in India, anchored partly by the trade and economic partnership agreement between India and the EFTA countries, which is set to mark its first anniversary after entering into force in October. She highlighted a landmark moment in November of the previous year, when Orkla India became the first Norwegian company to list on a stock exchange in India, specifically in Mumbai.

'Interest from Norwegian businesses have been strong and growing,' she noted, adding that the EFTA trade pact has catalysed a visible uptick in Norwegian corporate engagement with the Indian market.

India's Economic Rise: A Diplomat's View from the Ground

Ambassador Stener offered a vivid personal perspective on India's economic transformation over her three-year posting. 'While I have been here in India, you have gone from the fifth biggest economy to the fourth. I believe also will soon be the third biggest economy in the world,' she said, describing visible signs of growth in infrastructure and urbanisation during her travels across the country.

She also noted the social dimension of this growth: 'It's also able to lift more people out of poverty, and how this creates more vibrancy in this country.' Her remarks align with broader assessments from multilateral institutions that have flagged India as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally.

Three Years, a Stronger Bilateral Canvas

Reflecting on her tenure, Stener said she had witnessed the India-Norway relationship evolve from a largely economic partnership into a more strategic, values-driven alliance. 'It has been three very exciting years here in India. I have seen the India-Norway relations growing and growing to be stronger, to be more strategic and to be broader over these three years,' she said.

As Stener prepares to conclude her posting, both governments are expected to sustain the momentum built around green energy, maritime cooperation, and trade — pillars that have defined the bilateral agenda during her term.