New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitched India as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for investment, innovation and manufacturing, as he addressed the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) in Sweden. PM Modi invited European companies to enhance their presence across sectors including green hydrogen, clean energy, electronics, AI, deep tech manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences.
Asserting that India’s “reform express is moving forward at full speed,” PM Modi highlighted the country’s young population, expanding middle class and rapidly developing infrastructure as key strengths. “In the last 12 years, India has been working on the basic mantra of reforms, performance and transformation,” he said, adding that the next wave of technology innovation should be co-created in India.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement: ‘Mother of all deals’
PM Modi welcomed the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a transformative economic partnership creating new opportunities in trade, technology, manufacturing and stronger supply chains. Referring to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s characterisation of the pact, PM Modi said, “We have set an ambitious and strategic agenda at the level of governments…As Ursula von der Leyen had said, this is the mother of all deals. We are trying to implement this as soon as possible.” He also noted that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor adds further value to the India-Europe business partnership.
PM Modi pitches India-Sweden innovation partnership
PM Modi called for combining Sweden’s strengths in innovation and sustainability with India’s scale, talent and growth momentum. He reiterated India’s vision of “Design for India, Make in India and Export from India” and stressed the importance of talent mobility, education and skill partnerships between the two regions.
The roundtable, hosted by the Volvo Group, was attended by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, senior European industry leaders and representatives from leading European and Indian companies. PM Modi also suggested holding the India-Europe CEOs Round-table annually and creating an India Desk at ERT to strengthen long-term economic and industrial cooperation.