PM Modi arrives in Gothenburg, Sweden PM Kristersson receives him at airport
Synopsis
For the first time in history, an Indian Prime Minister has set foot in Gothenburg — Sweden's industrial and innovation capital. Modi's arrival, escorted by Swedish Gripen jets and received personally by PM Kristersson, frames the visit as more than protocol: it comes just as India seals its FTA with the EU, making this a strategic moment to lock in European investment and defence partnerships.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden on 17 May , the third stop on his five-nation tour.
Swedish Gripen fighter jets escorted Modi's aircraft into Swedish airspace; PM Ulf Kristersson received him at the airport.
This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Gothenburg , a city founded in 1620 .
India-Sweden bilateral trade reached $7.75 billion in 2025 ; Swedish FDI into India totals $2.825 billion since 2000 .
Modi and Kristersson will address the European Round Table for Industry alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen .
The visit follows India concluding its Free Trade Agreement with the European Union .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday, 17 May, touching down on the third leg of his five-nation tour. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson personally received Modi at the airport — a gesture underscoring the diplomatic weight both sides attach to the visit. Swedish Gripen fighter jets escorted the Prime Minister's aircraft as it entered Swedish airspace.
Why Gothenburg Matters
This marks the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Gothenburg, a city founded in 1620 that has evolved into Sweden's technology, industrial, and innovation hub. Modi had previously visited Sweden in 2018 for the inaugural India-Nordic Summit, but that visit did not include Gothenburg. India's Ambassador to Sweden, Anurag Bhushan, described the city as 'a centre where a lot of Indians live,' adding to the visit's symbolic significance.
Key Bilateral Agenda
According to a statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two Prime Ministers will conduct a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and identify new avenues to deepen trade and investment ties. Bilateral trade between India and Sweden stood at $7.75 billion in 2025, while Swedish foreign direct investment into India has reached $2.825 billion over the period 2000–2025.
European Business Engagement
Beyond the bilateral summit, Modi and Kristersson are scheduled to jointly address the European Round Table for Industry — a prominent pan-European forum of top corporate leaders — alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The engagement signals India's intent to position itself as a preferred investment destination for European industry at the highest level.
India-EU FTA Backdrop
Ambassador Bhushan noted that Modi's Sweden visit comes at a particularly consequential moment — against the backdrop of India concluding its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union. He described India-Sweden ties as 'long-standing and diversified,' suggesting the visit could accelerate bilateral cooperation across defence, clean technology, and manufacturing. Modi arrived in Sweden after concluding his visit to the Netherlands, and Gothenburg is the third stop on a broader European diplomatic sweep.
Point of View
Not just diplomatic courtesy. Modi's choice to make Gothenburg the centrepiece, rather than Stockholm, reflects a deliberate pivot toward industrial and innovation stakeholders at a moment when India needs European technology transfer, not just trade volumes. Coming immediately after the India-EU FTA conclusion, this visit has a clear ask embedded in the itinerary: convert the trade agreement into concrete investment commitments from Europe's most influential corporate forum. Whether the European Round Table engagement translates into binding pledges — or remains a photo opportunity — will be the real measure of this leg of the tour.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi visit Gothenburg, Sweden?
PM Modi visited Gothenburg as the third leg of his five-nation European tour, at the invitation of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties and engage European business leaders at the European Round Table for Industry.
Is this the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Gothenburg?
Yes, this is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Gothenburg. Modi had previously visited Sweden in 2018 for the India-Nordic Summit, but that visit did not include Gothenburg.
What is the current state of India-Sweden bilateral trade?
Bilateral trade between India and Sweden reached $7.75 billion in 2025. Swedish foreign direct investment into India has totalled $2.825 billion over the period 2000 to 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
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 top corporate leaders. Modi and Kristersson will jointly address it alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, positioning India as a key investment destination for European business.
How does the India-EU FTA connect to Modi's Sweden visit?
India's Ambassador to Sweden Anurag Bhushan noted that the visit is taking place against the backdrop of India concluding its Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. The timing allows Modi to build on the FTA momentum by engaging European industry leaders directly in Gothenburg.
