Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed Oslo for Rome on Tuesday, 19 May after concluding a productive two-day visit to Norway and participating in the third India-Nordic Summit. The summit produced a landmark decision to elevate India-Nordic relations to a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership, marking a significant deepening of ties across sustainability, trusted technologies, and innovation.

Key Outcomes of the India-Nordic Summit

The centrepiece of the Oslo summit was the elevation of bilateral ties to a formal Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership. PM Modi described the decision as combining 'innovation with scale and talent, while advancing our shared commitment towards sustainability, trusted technologies and a better future for humanity.'

The summit also reaffirmed a shared agenda spanning trade and investment, sustainable growth, climate action, and Arctic cooperation. Modi noted that trade ties between India and the Nordic nations have grown stronger in recent years, with investment linkages deepening significantly.

Bilateral Talks with Norwegian PM

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi held one-on-one talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, covering a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Modi described the discussions as 'productive' in a post on X, thanking the Norwegian government and people for their 'warmth and friendship.'

Norway's Top Honour Conferred on Modi

On Monday, 18 May, King Harald V of Norway conferred the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit upon PM Modi — the country's highest state honour. This was the 32nd international honour conferred upon Modi and the second during his ongoing five-nation tour. A day earlier, Sweden had awarded him the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross — his 31st global honour.

Next Stop: Rome and Italy Bilateral

Following his Norway departure, PM Modi arrived in Rome at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He is scheduled to call on Italian President Sergio Mattarella and hold formal talks with Meloni. This is Modi's first bilateral visit to Italy since the G7 Summit in June 2024.

The visit comes against the backdrop of strong bilateral momentum. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India-Italy bilateral trade reached USD 16.77 billion in 2025, while cumulative foreign direct investment from Italy stood at USD 3.66 billion between April 2000 and September 2025. Both sides are actively implementing the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025–2029, covering defence, clean energy, science and technology, and people-to-people ties.

Modi's five-nation tour continues to underscore India's deepening engagement with Europe at a time of shifting global alliances and growing emphasis on trusted technology partnerships.