PM Modi in Oslo praises diaspora for keeping Indian culture alive abroad
Synopsis
From Alarippu in Oslo to Bharatanatyam in Stockholm, PM Modi's Nordic tour has doubled as a showcase of Indian soft power. The Natiyalaya Dance School's near-three-decade run in Norway and the Indo-Swedish orchestra moment with PM Kristersson signal how deeply cultural diplomacy is woven into India's bilateral outreach — and how the diaspora is its most durable ambassador.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi visited Oslo, Norway on 18 May 2025 and was welcomed with classical Indian dance and music performances.
The Natiyalaya Dance School performed Alarippu (Bharatanatyam) and has been promoting Indian culture in Norway for nearly three decades .
The Barratt Due Music Institute presented 'Saath Saath' , blending Indian and Western classical traditions.
Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre received Modi at the airport; Modi expressed confidence the visit would strengthen bilateral ties.
A day earlier in Sweden , Modi and Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson witnessed an Indo-Swedish Musical Orchestra by Ron Davis Alvarez and a Bharatanatyam performance by Lilla Akademien .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 18 May praised India's rich cultural heritage and the efforts of the Indian diaspora in preserving it overseas, as vibrant performances marked his arrival in Oslo during an ongoing visit to Norway. The welcome programme featured classical dance forms spanning centuries of Indian tradition, drawing warm appreciation from the Prime Minister.
Cultural Welcome in Oslo
The welcome programme in Oslo featured a segment titled 'Rhythms of India', which showcased the diversity of India's classical dance heritage. Modi noted that forms including Sattriya, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak, and Mohiniyattam were all represented. 'Each dance form carries years of devotion, discipline and excellence,' he wrote in a post on X, adding that he was 'proud of our diaspora for keeping India's culture alive and vibrant.'
Barratt Due and Natiyalaya Performances
Modi also commended the Barratt Due Music Institute for staging 'Saath Saath', a performance he described as 'a beautiful reflection of togetherness through music, culture and shared artistic spirit' and 'a soulful confluence of Indian and Western classical traditions.' Separately, students from the Natiyalaya Dance School performed Alarippu, a composition associated with Bharatanatyam. Modi noted that Natiyalaya has been promoting India's cultural traditions in Norway for nearly three decades, calling such efforts 'commendable.'
Diaspora Welcome and Bilateral Talks
Members of the Indian diaspora gathered to receive Modi, carrying Indian flags and raising chants of 'Modi Modi'. Earlier on the same day, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre received Modi at the airport. Modi expressed confidence that the visit would strengthen ties between India and Norway.
Cultural Highlights from Sweden
This comes a day after similar scenes during Modi's visit to Sweden, where he was welcomed with a Bengali cultural display and a Bharatanatyam performance by students of Lilla Akademien. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was also present at the community welcome. Modi and Kristersson together witnessed an Indo-Swedish Musical Orchestra presentation by Ron Davis Alvarez and his students. 'Music is a great way to bring our people together!' Modi wrote on X following the performance.
The visit forms part of a broader Nordic outreach, with cultural diplomacy emerging as a consistent thread alongside bilateral engagement.
Point of View
But Modi's Nordic tour is a reminder of how consistently India deploys it. The Natiyalaya Dance School's three-decade presence in Norway is not a government programme — it is diaspora initiative — yet Modi's public commendation converts it into bilateral soft power. What mainstream coverage misses is the pattern: each stop on this tour has featured a structured cultural welcome, suggesting deliberate choreography rather than organic reception. The harder question is whether these moments translate into durable policy outcomes — trade, defence, or technology partnerships — or remain goodwill optics. India's Nordic relationships are underweighted relative to their potential, and cultural warmth alone will not close that gap.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What cultural performances did PM Modi witness in Oslo?
In Oslo on 18 May 2025, PM Modi witnessed 'Rhythms of India', featuring Sattriya, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak, and Mohiniyattam. He also saw 'Saath Saath' by the Barratt Due Music Institute and an Alarippu performance by the Natiyalaya Dance School.
Which Indian dance school has been active in Norway for nearly three decades?
The Natiyalaya Dance School has been promoting Indian cultural traditions in Norway for almost 30 years. During Modi's Oslo welcome, its students performed Alarippu, a composition associated with Bharatanatyam.
Who received PM Modi at the airport in Oslo?
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre received PM Modi at the airport in Oslo. Modi expressed confidence that the visit would deepen friendship between India and Norway.
What happened during PM Modi's cultural welcome in Sweden?
In Sweden, PM Modi was welcomed with a Bengali cultural display and a Bharatanatyam performance by students of Lilla Akademien. He and Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson also witnessed an Indo-Swedish Musical Orchestra presentation by Ron Davis Alvarez and his students.
Why is cultural diplomacy significant during PM Modi's Nordic tour?
Cultural diplomacy has been a consistent feature of Modi's Nordic visits, with diaspora-led performances showcasing India's classical heritage. Analysts note it reinforces India's soft power while strengthening people-to-people ties alongside formal bilateral discussions.
