India Norway Discuss Green Partnership and EFTA Trade Ties
India and Norway discuss strengthening their Green Strategic Partnership, expanding trade and investment under the India-EFTA framework, and deepening cooperation in fisheries and Arctic affairs.
India and Norway have discussed ways to strengthen their Green Strategic Partnership, expand trade and investment under the India-EFTA framework, and deepen cooperation in fisheries and Arctic affairs. The discussions took place between Sibi George, Secretary (West) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Norway’s State Secretary Astrid Bergmal in New Delhi.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two officials also exchanged views on multilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by India and Norway to broaden cooperation beyond traditional bilateral areas.
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The India-Norway Green Strategic Partnership was elevated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Norway in May. Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store agreed to strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and work towards a Joint Action Plan to guide future collaboration.
The latest discussions also focused on trade and investment opportunities under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). The agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, entered into force on October 1, 2025. It covers market access in goods and services, rules of origin, trade facilitation, investment promotion, intellectual property and trade and sustainable development.
TEPA also includes an investment and employment commitment under which EFTA countries aim to increase their foreign direct investment stock in India by USD 100 billion over 15 years and facilitate the creation of one million direct jobs through such investments.
Fisheries and Arctic cooperation were another focus of the meeting. Both areas have emerged as important components of India-Norway engagement, alongside wider cooperation on climate change, oceans, sustainable development and scientific research.
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The two countries have been expanding their engagement in green and sustainable sectors, with the strategic partnership providing a framework for cooperation on issues including climate action, renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The trade agreement has added an economic dimension to these broader ties by creating additional opportunities for businesses and investors.
The meeting also comes as India continues to strengthen its engagement with European partners through the EFTA framework. Norway’s participation in TEPA provides opportunities to expand commercial links between the two countries while complementing their wider cooperation in technology, sustainability, maritime affairs and the Arctic.
The latest discussions are expected to contribute to the implementation of the Green Strategic Partnership and support efforts to translate bilateral agreements into expanded trade, investment and sector-specific cooperation.
