Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India and Finland have agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership in Digitalisation and Sustainability, marking a new phase in cooperation between the two countries across technology, innovation and sustainable development.
Speaking during a joint press interaction with Finland President Alexander Stubb during his State Visit to India, the Prime Minister said the partnership would deepen collaboration in high-technology sectors and strengthen ties between the two democracies.
Welcoming Stubb on his first visit to India as the Finnish President, PM Modi described him as a respected global leader, thinker and author, and expressed happiness that he is serving as the Chief Guest at the Raisina Dialogue.
Highlighting the global context, PM Modi said the world is currently witnessing instability and uncertainty, with conflicts continuing in regions ranging from Ukraine to West Asia. In such circumstances, he noted that relations between India and Europe are entering what he described as a “golden era”, contributing to global stability, development and shared prosperity.
The Prime Minister said economic and technological cooperation between India and Finland is expanding steadily, particularly following the signing of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement earlier in 2026.
Pointing to longstanding collaboration between the two countries, PM Modi noted that Finnish technology company Nokia has played a key role in connecting millions of Indians through its mobile phones and telecom networks. He also highlighted cooperation in infrastructure projects such as the construction of the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River and the establishment of a bamboo-to-bioethanol refinery in Numaligarh.
Under the newly announced strategic partnership, India and Finland will expand cooperation in emerging sectors including artificial intelligence, 6G telecommunications, clean energy and quantum computing. PM Modi said the partnership will also extend to key areas such as defence, space, semiconductors and critical minerals.
He emphasised that closer collaboration between democratic and responsible nations like India and Finland would contribute to building trusted technology ecosystems and resilient global supply chains.
Strengthening people-to-people connections also featured prominently in the discussions. PM Modi said Finland is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for Indian students and professionals. To facilitate greater mobility and innovation collaboration, the two countries have signed a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement.
The Prime Minister said both sides will also expand joint research and start-up partnerships. Finland’s strong education system, he added, offers valuable opportunities for cooperation in teacher training, school partnerships and research related to the “future of education.”
PM Modi also described Finland as an important partner for India in the Nordic region and said the two countries will enhance cooperation in Arctic and polar research.
On sustainability, he announced that India will host the World Circular Economy Forum this year in partnership with Finland, an initiative aimed at promoting new ideas and solutions for environmental sustainability.
Touching upon global issues, PM Modi said both countries believe in the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy, stressing that conflicts cannot be resolved through military means alone. He said India and Finland support efforts for the early cessation of conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and West Asia and share the view that reform of global institutions is urgently needed.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.
Referring to President Stubb’s completion of the Ironman Triathlon, PM Modi expressed confidence that India and Finland would together achieve a new “triathlon” of innovation, digitalisation and sustainability, ushering in a new chapter in bilateral relations.
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