Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gothenburg on Sunday for the second leg of a European tour that also includes the Netherlands, Norway, and Italy. In Sweden's second-largest city, Modi met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the European Business Round Table for Industry, where they addressed European and Indian business leaders.
"This will also deepen investment linkages between India and Europe," Modi wrote on X ahead of the event, signalling the strategic importance of the visit.
Trade deal at the centre of talks
Von der Leyen reiterated the EU's commitment to the recently signed EU-India trade agreement, which she called the "mother of all deals." The pact, inked in New Delhi in January, covers nearly two billion people and roughly a quarter of global economic output. It is expected to be finalised by the end of the year. Under its terms, India will eliminate or reduce duties on 96.6% of EU goods exports, while the EU will liberalise 99.5% of its tariff lines on Indian imports over seven years.
"But trade is only half of the equation," von der Leyen said on Sunday. "The next step must be to deliver an investment agreement. This is the missing piece of the puzzle in our reinforced economic cooperation."
She concluded: "All in all, this dynamic new era in EU-India relations opens historic opportunities, and we are determined to seize them."
Modi and Kristersson also discussed strengthening bilateral ties in trade, investments, innovation, defence, and more. The visit comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions that are reshaping global trade patterns, making the EU-India partnership particularly significant.
Sweden has also been active in other areas of European security. Earlier this month, Sweden arrested two individuals suspected of exporting industrial goods to Russia's military sector, underscoring the broader security context in which these trade discussions take place.
Modi's broader European tour
On Saturday, Modi signed a strategic partnership with the Netherlands aimed at expanding cooperation in trade, technology, and energy after meeting Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten. The next stop is Oslo for the third India-Nordic summit, where Modi is scheduled to meet leaders from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. According to India's External Affairs Ministry, talks will focus on technology, renewable energies, defence, space, and the Arctic region.
Modi's tour will conclude on 20 May in Italy, where he will visit Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The EU-India trade deal is one of the largest bilateral pacts either side has ever signed, and its successful implementation could reshape economic relations between Europe and South Asia. As von der Leyen noted, the next step is an investment agreement that would complete the framework for deeper economic integration.
