Sweden has reaffirmed its strong support for India's Make in India initiative, with Sven Ostberg, Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai, describing the bilateral partnership as "very fruitful and prosperous" on Monday, April 28. Speaking on the sidelines of South Africa's Freedom Day celebrations at the South African Consulate in Mumbai, Ostberg highlighted that over 280 Swedish companies are currently operating in India, generating direct employment for 2 lakh people and indirect livelihoods for a staggering 22 lakh individuals.

The remarks underscore a deepening economic alignment between New Delhi and Stockholm, as India continues to position itself as a global manufacturing hub under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship industrial policy.

Key Developments in India-Sweden Partnership

Ostberg confirmed that Swedish companies are actively increasing investments in India, aligning with the Make in India framework that encourages domestic production and foreign direct investment. "Swedish companies are investing a lot in India," he stated, responding to a question about the future trajectory of India-Sweden ties.

This comes amid India's broader push to attract global manufacturers, particularly in sectors such as defence, clean energy, telecommunications, and automotive technology — all areas where Swedish corporations like Volvo, Ericsson, IKEA, and SKF have a significant footprint. Notably, Sweden's participation in Make in India reflects a strategic alignment that goes beyond trade — it signals a convergence of industrial values and long-term economic vision.

Sweden's Stance on Global Peace and Democracy

Beyond bilateral economics, Ostberg addressed several geopolitical issues during the event. On the Middle East conflict, he stated that "Sweden and India want peace and stability in the Middle East," echoing a shared multilateral position. He also condemned political violence in strong terms, reacting to an incident reported near a White House dinner the previous day. "Sweden was very horrified after seeing the pictures coming out of Washington," he said, calling it a "horrible attack" and expressing hope that "everyone is safe and sound."

He emphasised that while Sweden firmly believes in democracy and freedom of speech, "violence is not the answer to anything" — a statement that carries particular weight given Sweden's own recent experiences with political unrest in Europe.

Sweden's Historical Ties with South Africa

Ostberg also used the occasion to reflect on Sweden's decades-long support for South Africa's liberation movement. He noted that Sweden was among the few Western European nations to back the African National Congress (ANC) during the apartheid era, calling the system "a very bad sin" and expressing pride that democracy now governs South Africa. He congratulated South Africa on its 30th anniversary of freedom, adding that Sweden continues to work with the South African government to promote bilateral trade, investment, and tourism.

Impact on Indian Workers and Industry

The scale of Sweden's economic presence in India is significant. With 280+ companies employing 2 lakh workers directly and supporting 22 lakh jobs indirectly, Sweden ranks among the more impactful European partners in India's employment ecosystem. These figures reflect not just corporate investment but supply chain integration — suggesting that Swedish capital is deeply embedded in Indian manufacturing and services infrastructure.

As India accelerates its Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap, partnerships like these are expected to grow in both scale and strategic depth. The India-Sweden relationship, built on shared democratic values and complementary industrial strengths, appears poised for its next chapter.