Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide on Tuesday, 19 May described India as an 'important partner' for Norway and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Oslo 'very fruitful', underscoring the growing strategic warmth between the two nations. Eide's remarks came as Modi concluded a landmark two-day visit to the Scandinavian country — the first by an Indian Prime Minister in years.

Eide's Assessment of the Visit

Speaking to reporters, Eide was effusive about the bilateral engagement. 'Very fruitful. He is warmly welcome. We appreciate our close partnership with India, the largest country in the world population-wise and soon to be the third-largest economy, a very innovative and important partner,' he said. The Norwegian minister added that in 'a rapidly changing world, traditional alliances and conventional ways of thinking must evolve,' and that doing so alongside India was both timely and valuable.

Eide also recalled a personal anecdote he shared with Modi — his first visit to India in 1974 and a journey by steam-engine train from Delhi to Varanasi. 'He very much enjoyed hearing since he is, of course, elected from Varanasi constituency,' Eide noted.

Modi's Programme in Oslo

During the visit, PM Modi held bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and participated in the India-Norway Business and Research Summit. In a significant ceremonial moment, King Harald V conferred upon Modi Norway's highest civilian honour — the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.

On the Nobel Peace Prize Question

Asked about calls for PM Modi to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Eide was careful to draw a clear distinction between the Norwegian government and the independent Nobel Committee. 'The Norwegian government has absolutely nothing to do with who gets the Nobel Peace Prize because that's a totally independent committee that makes that choice, and that's a very important principle. So, I never comment on who should be or who are candidates to the Peace Prize,' he said.

He did, however, add that he 'very much appreciates the direction India has been taking and its ability to deal with some of the world's most challenging questions,' and described India as a 'responsible player' in shaping the future of the world.

India's Rising Global Standing

Eide's remarks on Modi's global stature were measured but positive. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very popular in India. He has been re-elected and he has high approval ratings. Indians choose who should run India, just as the people of Norway choose who should lead Norway,' he said, adding that Modi had 'raised awareness of the importance of India on the global scale.'

This visit comes at a moment when India is actively deepening ties with European nations, positioning itself as an indispensable partner in a multipolar world order. With India on track to become the world's third-largest economy, Norway's embrace of closer bilateral engagement reflects a broader European recalibration toward New Delhi.