Iceland's Ambassador to India, Benedikt Hoskuldsson, described India as a 'best friend' and said the two nations consistently stand 'shoulder to shoulder' in the multilateral arena, in remarks that underline how the bilateral relationship has gained fresh momentum following the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) bloc.

Iceland Sees India as a Key Friend and Partner

Speaking in an interview in New Delhi on 23 September 2026, Ambassador Hoskuldsson said Iceland — a nation with a population of fewer than 4 lakh people — has always maintained an open, outward-looking society that values people-to-people ties. 'We see India as a best friend,' he said. 'Everywhere I go, everywhere I hear about Icelanders travelling to India, we are well received; we are treated very hospitably. India is our friend. And when we sit together in the multilateral arena, we always sit shoulder to shoulder.'

The remarks come amid a broader recalibration of India's trade architecture, with the TEPA — signed between India and EFTA nations including Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein — serving as a structural anchor for deepening economic ties.

Arctic-Himalayan Research: A Shared Climate Priority

Ambassador Hoskuldsson highlighted potential for scientific collaboration, drawing a direct parallel between the Arctic and India's Himalayan region. He said both zones are experiencing accelerated climate change and that joint research could yield insights relevant to both nations. He specifically welcomed India's active presence at Svalbard, an Arctic archipelago administered by Norway where India operates a research station. 'This is really where we will feel, and we are already feeling, the biggest climate change happening in the world,' he said.

India has maintained a growing scientific footprint in the Arctic, positioning it as a stakeholder in one of the world's most climatically sensitive regions. This is notably aligned with India's broader ambitions as a 'Near-Arctic State', a designation it has sought in multilateral forums.

India's Indo-Pacific Role Acknowledged

On the economic front, Hoskuldsson said Iceland's engagement with the Indo-Pacific is increasingly centred on India, whose economy and political weight he described as rapidly expanding. While Iceland has historically maintained strong seafood trade ties with Japan and China, the ambassador said the Indian market is set to become a 'key component' of Iceland's Asian engagement. 'India's political importance is growing along with its economy. We are also seeing changes taking place in the global trading system,' he noted.

On PM Modi's 25 Years in Public Service

Asked to assess Prime Minister Narendra Modi's record as he approaches 25 years in public service in October 2026, Hoskuldsson offered a measured but positive assessment. 'I have never seen a country of the size of India going so fast in terms of its development and its positive economic growth,' he said. Modi has served as Prime Minister since 26 May 2014, currently in his third term, making him the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India. He previously served as Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014.

Greenland Military Deal and Iceland's Arctic Position

Ambassador Hoskuldsson also addressed the agreement between Denmark and the United States, announced at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, under which Washington will be permitted to establish additional military bases in Greenland to support Arctic security. He welcomed the deal while affirming that Greenland — part of the Kingdom of Denmark — must retain its right to self-determination. 'Iceland stands with the Greenlanders. They are a sovereign nation that needs to have their own rights to determine their future,' he said.

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that the US would build two major military bases in Greenland under the arrangement, which grants Washington permanent control over security on the strategically positioned Arctic island.

As geopolitical interest in the Arctic intensifies — with climate change opening new shipping lanes and exposing new resource frontiers — Iceland's dual role as a founding Arctic nation and an EFTA member gives it a unique position in India's expanding global partnerships.