PM Modi arrives in Sweden, eyes stronger India-Sweden ties on second visit
Synopsis
Modi's second Sweden visit in seven years isn't just a diplomatic courtesy call — Gripen jets escorted his plane, Kristersson met him at the airport, and a joint address at the European Round Table with EU Commission President von der Leyen awaits. With bilateral trade at $7.75 billion and Swedish FDI crossing $2.825 billion, this visit signals India is serious about anchoring its Europe strategy beyond the traditional capitals.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden on 17 May 2025 — his second visit to the country since 2018 .
Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson personally received Modi at the airport; Gripen fighter jets escorted the PM's aircraft into Swedish airspace.
India-Sweden bilateral trade stands at $7.75 billion (2025); Swedish FDI into India totals $2.825 billion (2000–2025).
Modi and Kristersson will jointly address the European Round Table for Industry alongside EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen .
The visit follows Modi's stop in the Netherlands , where he met Dutch PM Rob Jetten and the Dutch royal family.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday, 17 May at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, marking his second visit to the Nordic country. In a post on X, Modi expressed gratitude for Kristersson's gesture of personally receiving him at the airport, saying he looks forward to 'strengthening the friendship between India and Sweden during this important visit.'
A Warm Welcome at Gothenburg Airport
In a notable diplomatic gesture, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received Modi directly at Gothenburg Airport. Adding to the ceremonial welcome, Swedish Gripen fighter jets escorted the Prime Minister's aircraft as it entered Swedish airspace — a rare honour extended to visiting heads of government.
Key Areas of Bilateral Focus
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described Sweden as an 'important partner for India in areas including technology, sustainability, innovation and Research and Development.' The two Prime Ministers are expected to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explore fresh avenues to boost trade and investment cooperation, according to an MEA statement.
Bilateral trade between India and Sweden has reached $7.75 billion as of 2025, while Swedish foreign direct investment into India has accumulated to $2.825 billion between 2000 and 2025, the MEA noted.
European Round Table Address
A key highlight of the visit is Modi and Kristersson's joint appearance at the European Round Table for Industry, a prominent pan-European business leaders forum. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also scheduled to address the forum alongside the two leaders — a gathering that signals the broader India-Europe economic engagement dimension of this trip.
Context: From Netherlands to Sweden
Modi arrived in Sweden after concluding a visit to the Netherlands, where he held talks with Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten, met the Dutch royal family, and interacted with the Indian community. Sweden is the second leg of what is shaping up as a significant European diplomatic tour. Modi had previously visited Sweden in 2018 for the first-ever India-Nordic Summit, making this return visit the first bilateral engagement in seven years. This comes amid a broader Indian diplomatic push to deepen ties with European nations on technology, clean energy, and defence.
Point of View
Saab), clean energy, and R&D make it a natural fit for India's twin ambitions of Atmanirbhar Bharat and green transition. The bilateral trade figure of $7.75 billion is respectable but modest relative to India's trade with Germany or France — the real signal to watch is whether this visit produces concrete commitments in semiconductors, defence co-production, or green hydrogen, or remains at the level of warm optics.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi visit Sweden in May 2025?
PM Modi visited Sweden on 17 May 2025 at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to strengthen bilateral ties across technology, sustainability, innovation, and R&D. It is his second visit to Sweden, the first having been in 2018 for the inaugural India-Nordic Summit.
What is the current state of India-Sweden bilateral trade?
India-Sweden bilateral trade reached $7.75 billion in 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Swedish foreign direct investment into India has cumulatively reached $2.825 billion between 2000 and 2025.
What is the European Round Table for Industry and why is Modi addressing it?
The European Round Table for Industry is a leading pan-European forum of senior business leaders. Modi and Kristersson are jointly addressing it alongside EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, signalling India's intent to deepen economic engagement with European industry.
What happened when PM Modi's plane entered Swedish airspace?
Swedish Gripen fighter jets escorted PM Modi's aircraft as it entered Swedish airspace — a ceremonial military honour. Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson also personally received Modi at Gothenburg Airport.
What was PM Modi's previous stop before Sweden?
Before arriving in Sweden, PM Modi concluded a visit to the Netherlands, where he held talks with Dutch PM Rob Jetten, met the Dutch royal family, and interacted with the Indian diaspora community.
