SYLLABUS
GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Norway and held bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo, during which both countries elevated bilateral ties to a Green Strategic Partnership.
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• The visit marked the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in over 43 years.
• The bilateral engagement took place alongside the 3rd India–Nordic Summit, which brought together India and the five Nordic countries — Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also conferred Norway’s highest civilian honour — the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit — for his contribution to strengthening India–Norway relations.
• India and Norway adopted a Joint Statement outlining expanded cooperation across climate action, maritime affairs, clean energy, technology, sustainable development, and multilateral governance.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
• Elevation to Green Strategic Partnership
- India and Norway elevated bilateral relations to a Green Strategic Partnership focused on climate action, energy transition, green shipping, sustainable infrastructure, circular economy, and clean technologies.
- Both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in achieving climate goals and implementing the Paris Agreement commitments.
• Economic and Trade Cooperation
- Both sides welcomed the coming into force of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which is expected to boost trade, investments, technology transfer, and industrial cooperation between India and EFTA countries, including Norway.
- Discussions were held on expanding cooperation in renewable energy, maritime industries, seafood processing, offshore energy, and sustainable value chains.
• Maritime and Blue Economy Cooperation
- Norway formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), strengthening India–Norway cooperation in maritime security, ocean governance, sustainable fisheries, and blue economy development in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Both countries also agreed to expand cooperation in green shipping, maritime logistics, offshore wind energy, and sustainable ocean resource management.
• Science, Technology and Innovation
- India and Norway agreed to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital technologies, space cooperation, clean energy technologies, and Arctic research.
- Both sides also emphasised research partnerships, innovation-led industrial cooperation, and academic collaboration.
