President Alexander Stubb praises India’s global role during visit with PM Narendra Modi
March 5, 2026: Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, has expressed support for India becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, saying the country should have a greater voice in shaping the changing global order. Speaking during a joint press briefing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stubb said India, along with nations of the Global South, would play a key role in determining the direction of international relations as the world undergoes major geopolitical shifts.
During his four-day visit to India from March 4 to March 7, Stubb said discussions with Modi covered regional security, defence cooperation and global conflicts including those in West Asia and Ukraine. He emphasised that durable peace in global conflicts can only be achieved through respect for the principles of the United Nations. The Finnish President also highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and European Union, noting that several Finnish companies are accompanying him to explore collaboration in technology, satellites, networks and green innovation.
Calling India one of the world’s most influential nations and the largest democracy, Stubb praised its pragmatic foreign policy and rapidly expanding economy. He said India has demonstrated how strategic autonomy and multilateral cooperation can coexist in modern diplomacy, adding that the global community could learn from New Delhi’s balanced approach. “The world should become a little more Indian,” Stubb remarked while acknowledging India’s rising role in global governance.