Oslo, Norway – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has arrived in the Scandinavian nation to fortify India’s economic partnerships. Her two-day visit kicks off with high-level meetings aimed at deepening bilateral trade and investment flows.
The Ministry of Finance announced that Sitharaman will engage with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and Trade and Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth. These discussions are set to explore new avenues for collaboration in key sectors.
Beyond government talks, the minister’s itinerary includes a roundtable with Norwegian CEOs and investors, highlighting India’s burgeoning opportunities for foreign direct investment. She will also interact with the Indian diaspora at a special event in Oslo, fostering stronger people-to-people connections.
A centerpiece of the visit is her session at Oslo Science Park, where she’ll dialogue with innovative startups. This move underscores India’s commitment to nurturing tech ecosystems and cross-border innovation.
This trip follows Sitharaman’s recent engagements in Germany, where she met top leaders and industry heads. Discussions there centered on the prospective India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with emphasis on market access and mutual business growth.
In Munich, she held talks with APM Terminals CEO Keith Svendsen, who praised Maersk’s longstanding ties with India and spotlighted major investments in the country’s maritime infrastructure. The duo also delved into FTA benefits, including expanded market openings for enterprises on both sides.
Sitharaman further conferred with German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s January meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Those talks had propelled advancements in defense, trade, and technology.
Klingbeil hailed the FTA as a game-changer for trade and investment, stressing enhanced development cooperation and metro rail expansions in India. As Sitharaman’s European tour progresses, these engagements signal a robust push towards strategic economic alliances.