India-Sweden Strategic Compass; November-December 2024 • Vol.3 • No.6

As we move forward to the year 2025, India and Sweden reflect on a year marked by major international events, ambitious environmental initiatives, and geopolitical challenges shaping the future of our world.

India has continued to assert its global leadership through significant actions, notably at COP29 in Baku, where it strongly advocated for climate justice while criticizing the inadequate commitments of developed nations. Simultaneously, its efforts to strengthen bilateral ties—with the EU, Nordic countries, and Africa—highlight a forward-looking strategy centered on innovation and sustainability.

In Europe, Sweden has heightened its civil preparedness in response to growing regional instability, distributing a practical resilience guide to its citizens. At the same time, it is conducting a complex investigation into the suspected sabotage of undersea cables, underscoring the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

There is significant scope for the bilateral relationship between India and Sweden to deepen further as both countries continued to leverage mutual strengths in trade, investment, and technology through 2024. Additionally, the Make in India 2.0 initiative and Sweden’s leadership in green technologies are opening new avenues for commercial and IP collaboration. Swedish companies are already playing a significant role in India’s manufacturing, IT, and energy sectors, and future trade deals are likely to promote circular economy initiatives and bolster both countries’ efforts in sustainable development. Geopolitical tensions, the urgency of the climate crisis, and the pursuit of more inclusive international cooperation
have defined the past months. As we enter 2025, these dynamics remind us of the importance of collective action and sustainable solutions to address the challenges of our time. We hope you enjoy this edition and wish you a new year filled with collaboration and progress.