Abstract
India’s growing strategic partnership with the European Union (EU) has not only strengthened its economic and trade engagement but also expanded security and defence cooperation in the growing geopolitical fragmentation. The evolving strategic dimension in the bilateral partnership reflects India’s increasing footprint in Europe, especially in Northern Europe.
India’s Prime Minister’s visit to Norway for the third round of the India-Nordic Summit with five northern European countries, including Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, not only expanded the scope of their relations but also widened and broadened India’s engagement with the Nordic region. These five countries together represent the world’s most advanced region in terms of economy, innovation, technology and sustainable development. India’s move to strengthen a new strategic partnership with these Nordic nations offers valuable opportunities to connect by building a coalition on key global issues.
It also raises a key question: Why is India investing sustained diplomatic and strategic capital in the Nordic region, and what does this reveal about its broader European strategy beyond traditional partnerships with major powers? At a time of global geopolitical flux, economic fragmentations and rapid technological advancement, India-Nordic relations have been elevated to a “trusted Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership”. This reflects a diplomatic shift in their bilateral relationship at multilateral platforms, securing national interest while supporting a resilient world order, which promotes peace, security and stability. However, the paper aims to examine India’s engagement with the Nordic region as a broader strategy of diversification in Europe, expanding technological cooperation, advancing green transition goals, and enhancing strategic autonomy in a multipolar international order.
Keywords: India-Nordic Relations, India-Nordic Summit, Green Technology and Strategic Partnership, Sustainable Development and Resilient Economy
