Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide says the EFTA and EU trade agreements with India will strengthen economic cooperation
May 20, 2026: Espen Barth Eide has said the free trade agreements between India and the European Free Trade Association as well as the European Union are complementary and will help countries avoid over-dependence on a limited number of global partners. Speaking about India’s growing economic and strategic importance, Eide said India is emerging as one of the world’s largest and most innovative economies, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technology and renewable energy.
During discussions with S. Jaishankar, the Norwegian minister said both countries focused on global conflicts including the wars in Ukraine and West Asia, which continue to impact maritime trade, energy markets and global economic stability. Eide stressed that Norway and India, as seafaring nations dependent on global trade, share an interest in preserving a rules-based international order. He also highlighted cooperation in green energy, sustainability and digital governance as key pillars of the India-Norway partnership.
On the Ukraine conflict, Eide said Norway hopes India will continue supporting international law and sovereignty while using its ties with Russia responsibly. He added that sanctions on Russia should remain in place and argued that diplomatic solutions would ultimately be necessary to end the conflict. The Norwegian minister also underlined India’s critical role in the global digital economy, saying no major international IT company can operate without engagement with India’s technology ecosystem.