Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar’s visit to Sweden

Both countries have discussed their perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, the geopolitical situation in Europe, and de-risking the world economy. With his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom, he also attended the India Trilateral Forum opening ceremony, which brings together representatives from India, Europe, and the United States. Jaishankar stressed the importance of the multipolar world during the EU-India Pacific Ministerial Forum, stating that "The Indo-Pacific is a complex and differentiated landscape that is best understood through more intensive engagement." The visit is noteworthy since Sweden and India commemorate 75 years since their diplomatic ties were established. Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution, and Textiles Piyush Goyal, and Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw will all be present at this first ministerial gathering of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council in Brussels.

INDIA AND SWEDEN RELATIONS

India and Sweden's bilateral ties have dramatically improved in recent years on various fronts. Since diplomatic relations between Stockholm and New Delhi were previously established in 1949, the recent transformation of strategic convergence that led to the two nations' strong collaboration in a variety of regional and international fora is of crucial importance. These two nations' common ideals of democracy, the rule of law, pluralism, institutional affinity, equality, freedom of expression, and respect for human rights are the cornerstone of their close relationship and long-standing friendship. The first of its type in over three decades, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic trip to Sweden in 2018 marked a turning point in the bilateral relationship and expanded and strengthened the parameters of strategic cooperation unlike anything before. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven recently held a virtual summit, which has increased momentum towards further consolidating strategic convergence between the two nations on issues related to defence, counterterrorism, peace and security, climate change, science and technology, startup innovation, medical innovation, and industry integration like never before. The groundwork for strong strategic cooperation between New Delhi and Stockholm has been firmly established thanks to the approximately 250 Swedish companies currently operating in India in various industries, including defence, heavy machinery and equipment, health and life sciences, clean technology, and the auto industry. At the same time, approximately 75 Indian companies are also fully operational in Sweden.

At the regional and international levels, the strategic significance of the transformative connection between Sweden and India is becoming more apparent. On a more global scale, it is further asserted that the intensified trajectory of strategic cooperation between India and Sweden on several well-founded mutually beneficial priorities will have a significant impact on bilateral, regional, and global levels while expanding the scope and extent of "India-Nordic" strategic engagement as an extraordinary exclusive relationship in conjunction with determining the trajectory of overarching architecture.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

There are several bilateral and memorandum of understanding in place that span a variety of topics, such as science and technology, healthcare, sustainable urban development, renewable energy, railways, space exploration, polar science, and defence. Under several of these MoUs, Joint Working Groups (JWG) have been created. Additionally, agreements on air services, bilateral investment protection, and the avoidance of double taxation exist. Departments of Science and Technology (DST) and Biotechnology (DBT), along with the GITA (DST-CII collaboration) and ICMR from India, are collaborating with Swedish organisations such as Vinnova (Swedish Government Innovation and R&D agency), Swedish Energy Agency, Swedish Research Council, and FORTE (under Ministry of Health) to co-fund projects relating to research and industrial applications. Smart Cities and CleanTech, Nano Sciences, Computer Sciences, AI, Smart Grids, Energy Research (storage, e-mobility, new fuels), Water, Waste to Wealth, Circular Economy, Embedded Systems, and New Technologies are only a few of the areas of collaboration. Digitalisation and the Internet of Things (IoT), health and life sciences, biomedical devices, the economy, startups, test beds, clusters, digital healthcare, ageing, new materials, space and aviation, among other topics, are other areas of research. Swedish businesses, including Ericsson, Swedish Match (WIMCO), SKF, ASEA (later ABB), Atlas Copco, Sandvik, Alfa Laval, Volvo, AstraZeneca, SAAB, IKEA, and H&M, are quite prevalent and popular  in India.

Similarly, Indian businesses, particularly in the IT industry, have established themselves well in Sweden. India and Sweden collaborate in several worldwide environmental projects like the Solar Alliance, LeadIT, etc. Elisabeth Svantesson, Sweden's finance minister, participated in recent exchanges between India and Sweden when she was in Bengaluru for the G20 summit. Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom visited India to participate in the Raisina Dialogues 2023. Nearly 50,000 Indians now reside in Sweden, contributing to the country's economy and enhancing society by introducing Indian music, dance, art, literature, cinema, and food to Sweden.

STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS

The Swedish King visited India in 2019. Despite the challenging global background of the post-pandemic economic recovery and the crisis in Ukraine, momentum continued towards the second India-Nordic summit in 2022. Sweden's Minister for International Development and Foreign Trade, Johan Forssell, referred to the issue of India's increasing oil imports from Russia as India's "internal policy" and said that Sweden would not meddle. Given how quickly the two nations' ties are already developing, the Swedish presidency of the European Union comes at a good time for India.

The function of the EU Council's rotating six-month presidency has often had a significant and favourable influence on Europe's relations with India. The EU has been forced to review its trade policies through the lens of geopolitics due to the epidemic and the conflict in Ukraine. Due to Russia's and China's experiences with weaponising markets and energy, the EU prioritises relationships based on shared values. It prefers to expand free trade with democratic nations that uphold the rules-based system and where there is less risk of supply chains being weaponised for geopolitical purposes. Sweden, with its unrivalled love of free trade and a particular emphasis on India, is spearheading this effort. New Delhi and Stockholm would benefit from building on the strength of their bilateral and solid relationship as the basis for further cooperation at the Brussels level to advance shared objectives focused primarily on trade. While there are many reasons to be happy about the growing "strategic" component of the India-EU partnership, the most significant potential still lies in the area of trade, where the alliance can produce the most positive effects and practical results for the largest single market and fastest-growing economy in the world through the removal of trade barriers. 

CONCLUSION

The collaboration between Sweden and India has great potential to deepen their economic relations and support India's innovation and sustainable growth. The fact that both sides uphold the global, rules-based system and cherish democracy unites them. Nordic nations are leaders in innovation, renewable energy, green technology, education, health care, human rights, and the rule of law; this offers India the tremendous opportunity to build on its own advantages by working with these nations. 

India and Sweden's growing strategic affinities are founded on a standard set of ideals, including democracy, strong institutional ties and pluralism. Thus, the 75th anniversary of India-Sweden offers a chance to consider the values that should direct both the countries for the next 100 years while enlarging and bolstering the boundaries of strategic partnership. By implementing a proactive industrial policy, the relationships might be strengthened even further. Manufacturing and industry are essential to fostering sustainable economic growth. To ensure a green and sustainable future, India and Sweden must also strengthen their ties with socially and ecologically responsible business practices across the supply chain. Sweden, which now holds the EU presidency, is one of the leading advocates for a free trade agreement between the EU and India. This would be a game-changer for Sweden and India's economic and industrial interchange.

REFERENCES

1.         4 things to know: INDO-SWEDISH Healthcare Cooperation | Make In India. (n.d.), from https://www.makeinindia.com/4-things-know-indo-swedish-healthcare-cooperation

2.        75 Years and Going Strong: How India and Sweden are charting a path to growth and success. (2023, March 14). Firstpost. https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/75-years-and-going-strong-how-india-and-sweden-are-charting-a-path-to-growth-and-success-12291012.html

3.        ANI. (2023a, May 14). Jaishankar meets Sweden’s Defence, Foreign Ministers during his Stockholm trip. ThePrint. https://theprint.in/world/jaishankar-meets-swedens-defence-foreign-ministers-during-his-stockholm-trip/1574075/

4.       ANI. (2023b, May 15). Jaishankar meets Swedish Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlen in Stockholm. The Statesman. https://www.thestatesman.com/india/jaishankar-meets-swedish-parliament-speaker-andreas-norlen-in-stockholm-1503181516.html

5.        Bhattacharya, D. (n.d.). India-Sweden relations: Trajectory of strategic convergence scaling new heights. ORF, from https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/india-sweden-relations-trajectory-strategic-convergence-scaling-new-heights/

6.       EAM Jaishankar interacts with Indian community in Sweden. (2023, May 15). The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/eam-jaishankar-interacts-with-indian-community-in-sweden/article66852540.ece

7.        Embassy of India, Sweden & Latvia: India-Sweden Relations. (n.d.), from https://www.indembassysweden.gov.in/page/india-sweden-relations/

8.       Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar Visits Sweden For EU Indo-Pacific Summit. (2023, May 13). Https://Www.Outlookindia.Com/. https://www.outlookindia.com/international/indian-external-affairs-minister-jaishankar-visits-sweden-for-eu-indo-pacific-summit-news-286096

9.       India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to visit Brussels next month. (n.d.). WION, from https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-eam-jaishankar-to-visit-brussels-next-month-587616

10.     Issues of Cooperation in India-Nordic Relations—Indian Council of World Affairs (Government of India). (n.d.), from https://www.icwa.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=3&ls_id=4825&lid=2841

11.       Jaishankar interacts with Indian diaspora in Sweden, discusses transformations underway in India. (n.d.). ANI News, from https://www.aninews.in/news/world/europe/jaishankar-interacts-with-indian-diaspora-in-sweden-discusses-transformations-underway-in-india20230515045923/

12.      Mint, L. (2023, May 11). Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh, Sweden, and Belgium later this month. Mint. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/indian-external-affairs-minister-jaishankar-to-visit-bangladesh-sweden-and-belgium-to-strengthen-bilateral-relations-and-ties-11683804271014.html

13.      MPost. (2023, May 15). EAM S Jaishankar interacts with Sweden’s Indian community. https://www.millenniumpost.in/big-stories/eam-s-jaishankar-interacts-with-swedens-indian-community-518644

14.     Service, T. N. (n.d.). EAM’s visit to Sweden marks 75 years of diplomatic ties. Tribuneindia News Service, from https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/eams-visit-to-sweden-marks-75-years-of-diplomatic-ties-508152

15.      Standard, B. (2023, May 14). EAM Jaishankar holds wide ranging discussions with Swedish counterpart. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/eam-jaishankar-holds-wide-ranging-discussions-with-swedish-counterpart-123051400640_1.html

16.     Sweden, India agree to strengthen cooperation on defence. (2018, April 17). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-sweden-india-defence-idUKKBN1HO1TF

Pic Courtsey-Michal Czyz at unsplash.com

(The vieWs expressed are those of thE author and do not represent views of CESCUBE.)