India-Nordic Budding Dynamics: Sweden, a Vital Gateway?

The India-Nordic summits in 2018 and 2022 had the clearly outlined goal of the expanding strategic coordination between India and the Nordics. The spike in trade reflects a healthy economic engagement as well as immense potential for the future both in terms of mutual growth and regional prosperity. These summits focused not only on trade and investment, but also explored the potential for expanding innovation-oriented cooperation in areas such as clean/green technologies, maritime security, digitalization, global health, infrastructure, and climate action, apart from reiterating the commitment to a rules-based democratic order.

Sweden’s role as a bridge and mediator between India and the Nordic countries can be understood through its strategic positioning, economic influence, and diplomatic clout within the region. Its diplomatic efforts can help align the interests of the Nordic countries with India’s strategic objectives, fostering a cohesive approach to engagement. Sweden’s expertise in nuclear, defense, technology, and space sectors further strengthens its role as a critical mediator and bridge between India and the Nordic countries.

With its long-standing close economic ties and shared values-based interests on multiple global issues with India, including a cautious stance toward China as a regional/global challenge, Sweden is well-suited to coordinate the Nordic engagement. Moreover, in 2024, Sweden not only oversaw foreign and security collaboration among the Nordic countries (N5) and between the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8), but also led the Nordic Council of Ministers, making it a central player in fostering regional cooperation as well as a liaison partner between India and the Nordics in the future too.

Through partnerships in trade and technology, naval and maritime aspects, space and land technology, and energy and electric aviation, cooperation, India and the Nordics carry the potential to forge a greater partnership which would augment the economic landscape of Eurasia. This promising alliance, anchored by Sweden and India’s joint technological expertise and manufacturing might, represents more than mere commercial opportunism—it signals a strategic realignment. In order for the alliance to be successful, there must be concerted political will from both sides as well as regular and open policy exchanges at working and high levels to resolve points of divergence and strengthen areas of convergence.