Gothenburg : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) in Gothenburg on Saturday, calling for stronger India-Europe economic cooperation and trusted global partnerships amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The interaction was hosted by the Volvo Group and attended by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, senior industry leaders, and representatives of major European and Indian companies.
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the increasing strategic convergence between India and Europe and stressed the importance of reliable and resilient partnerships in an evolving global landscape. He welcomed the growing momentum in India-European Union relations, including the successful conclusion of negotiations for the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a transformative pact that would unlock new opportunities across trade, technology, manufacturing, services, and supply chains.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the significance of connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), saying such projects would further strengthen business and economic cooperation between India and Europe.
Highlighting India’s economic progress, Modi said the country has emerged as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for investment, innovation, and manufacturing. He pointed to India’s rapid economic growth, next-generation reforms, digital public infrastructure, expanding manufacturing ecosystem, and fast-paced infrastructure development. Reiterating the vision of “Design for India, Make in India and Export from India,” he invited European companies to deepen their engagement with India as a trusted economic partner.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for India and Europe to work together in building resilient and diversified supply chains. He highlighted India’s large-scale investments in transport, logistics, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and nuclear power, while inviting European businesses to collaborate in sectors such as telecom and digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electronics, deep-tech manufacturing, clean energy, mobility, urban transformation, healthcare, and life sciences.
Modi also underlined the importance of talent mobility, education, and skill partnerships between India and Europe, describing India’s young and skilled workforce as a major driver of future global growth. He called for deeper people-to-people ties and stronger innovation partnerships.
During the interaction, Prime Minister Modi proposed holding the India-Europe CEOs Roundtable annually and suggested the creation of an India Desk at the ERT to strengthen institutional engagement. The meeting served as a key platform for discussions on expanding India-Europe economic and industrial cooperation and reaffirmed the shared commitment to sustainable growth, technological collaboration, and resilient global partnerships.