PM Modi's Oslo visit to boost India-Norway maritime, green energy ties
Synopsis
PM Modi's visit to Oslo on 18–19 May — the first by an Indian prime minister in 43 years — comes as 160 Norwegian companies operate in India and 10% of Norwegian-commissioned ships are already being built here. Maritime and green energy are the headline sectors, with a bilateral business summit also on the agenda.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi will visit Oslo on 18–19 May — the first Indian prime ministerial visit to Norway in 43 years .
Around 160 Norwegian companies now operate in India, double the number from a decade ago.
70 per cent of Norwegian firms in India are in the maritime sector ; 10 per cent of Norwegian-commissioned ships are built in India.
The Union Cabinet recently approved ₹69,725 crore to revitalise India's shipbuilding and maritime ecosystem.
Modi will address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit alongside the Norwegian Prime Minister.
Norway is also keen to support India's green energy transition and startup ecosystem through research collaboration and business facilitation.
India and Norway are actively exploring expanded collaboration in maritime, green energy, and startup sectors, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Oslo expected to cement bilateral ties in these areas, May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India, said on Tuesday, 12 May. The visit, scheduled for 18–19 May, will be the first by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years.
Norwegian Business Footprint in India
The number of Norwegian companies operating in India has doubled over the past decade, with around 160 Norwegian companies now active in the country. They are exploring trade and investment opportunities across energy, maritime, and the circular economy, according to Ambassador Stener.
Of these, approximately 70 per cent are concentrated in the maritime sector. Stener identified maritime as the single sector with the greatest bilateral potential, noting that 10 per cent of Norwegian-commissioned ships are currently being built in India.
Point of View
Anchoring the relationship in sectors where Norway has genuine technological depth: offshore maritime, green hydrogen, and circular economy solutions. The ₹69,725 crore shipbuilding outlay signals India's intent to move up the maritime value chain, and Norwegian firms — already building 10% of their commissioned ships in India — have a commercial incentive to deepen that engagement. The real test will be whether the Business and Research Summit produces binding deals or remains a photo-opportunity diplomacy exercise.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is PM Modi visiting Norway and why is it significant?
PM Modi is scheduled to visit Oslo from 18 to 19 May 2025 for the third India-Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements. It will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years, marking a significant upgrade in bilateral diplomatic engagement.
Which sectors are India and Norway focusing on for collaboration?
The primary sectors are maritime, green energy, and startups. Norway's Ambassador to India highlighted maritime as having the greatest potential, given that 70 per cent of Norwegian companies in India operate in that sector and 10 per cent of Norwegian-commissioned ships are already built in India.
How many Norwegian companies operate in India?
Around 160 Norwegian companies currently operate in India, double the number from ten years ago. They are active in energy, maritime, and the circular economy sectors.
What is India's recent investment in shipbuilding?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, recently approved ₹69,725 crore to revitalise India's shipbuilding and maritime ecosystem. India's Sagarmala programme has also contributed to port modernisation and waterway infrastructure development.
What will PM Modi do during the Oslo visit?
PM Modi will participate in the third India-Nordic Summit, hold bilateral engagements, and address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit alongside the Norwegian Prime Minister.
