VP Radhakrishnan visits Norwegian Embassy to condole King Harald V's death
Synopsis
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan personally visited the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi to sign the condolence book for King Harald V, days after PM Modi paid his own tributes — reflecting the diplomatic weight India is placing on its ties with Oslo following the monarch's death at 89.
Key Takeaways
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan visited the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi on 1 September to condole the death of King Harald V .
Radhakrishnan signed the condolence book and met Ambassador May-Elin Stener , conveying sympathies on behalf of the Government and people of India.
King Harald V passed away on 28 August at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet , aged 89 .
PM Modi had earlier expressed condolences, recalling his meeting with the King during his May visit to Norway , when he received the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit .
Crown Prince Haakon , aged 53 , immediately ascended to the Norwegian throne following his father's death.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday, 1 September visited the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi to convey India's condolences on the passing of King Harald V of Norway, who died on 28 August at the age of 89. Radhakrishnan signed the condolence book and met Norway's Ambassador to India, Ms. May-Elin Stener, along with other Embassy officials.
What the Vice President Said
The Vice President's Office confirmed the visit, stating that Radhakrishnan expressed his 'heartfelt sympathies to the Royal Family and the people of Norway on behalf of the Government and people of Bharat.' He recalled the late King's 'dedicated service to Norway' and his role in 'strengthening India-Norway relations, helping transform the longstanding friendship into a modern economic partnership,' according to the office's statement.
PM Modi's Earlier Condolences
Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also expressed grief over King Harald V's passing. Modi recalled meeting the Norwegian monarch during his two-day visit to Norway in May, during which the King conferred upon him Norway's top honour — the 'Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit'. 'Deeply saddened by the passing of His Majesty King Harald V of the Kingdom of Norway. I fondly recall meeting His Majesty during my visit to Norway earlier this year and was deeply touched by his warmth and profound sense of service to his nation,' Modi wrote on X.
About King Harald V
King Harald V, born on 21 February 1937, ascended to the throne in 1991 following the death of his father, King Olav V. He passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet at 6:35 am local time on 28 August, according to the Royal House of Norway. His reign spanned over three decades, during which he was credited with modernising Norway's monarchy and deepening its international partnerships.
Succession and What Comes Next
Under Norway's rules of succession, Crown Prince Haakon, aged 53, immediately ascended to the throne upon his father's death, becoming the country's new king. The transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Norwegian monarchy. India's diplomatic outreach — from the Prime Minister to the Vice President — signals the significance New Delhi attaches to its ties with Oslo.
Point of View
Now from the Vice President — are not routine protocol. They reflect how seriously New Delhi is treating the India-Norway relationship at a moment of transition for Oslo. Modi's May visit to Norway, during which he received the kingdom's highest civilian honour, gave that bilateral a personal dimension rarely seen with Nordic nations. Whether Crown Prince Haakon's ascension as king accelerates or merely maintains that momentum is the real diplomatic question to watch.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vice President Radhakrishnan visit the Norwegian Embassy?
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan visited the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi on 1 September to offer India's official condolences on the death of King Harald V of Norway, who passed away on 28 August aged 89. He signed the condolence book and met Ambassador May-Elin Stener.
When did Norway's King Harald V pass away?
King Harald V passed away on 28 August at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet at 6:35 am local time. He was 89 years old and had reigned since 1991.
Who is the new King of Norway?
Crown Prince Haakon, aged 53, immediately ascended to the Norwegian throne upon his father King Harald V's death, as per Norway's rules of succession.
What was PM Modi's connection to King Harald V?
PM Modi met King Harald V during a two-day visit to Norway in May, during which the King conferred upon him the 'Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit' — Norway's top honour. Modi later expressed condolences on the King's passing via X.
What was King Harald V's contribution to India-Norway ties?
According to the Vice President's Office, King Harald V was credited with strengthening India-Norway relations and helping transform the longstanding friendship into a modern economic partnership. His reign of over three decades saw deepening bilateral engagement between the two countries.
