Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently engaged in discussions concerning the Russia-Ukraine war and the strengthening of ties between India and the European Union. Both leaders expressed their desire for a fair and enduring resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, acknowledging that ending the war is in everyone's best interest.
President Stubb emphasized India's significant global role, noting that the country is respected and heard in the South, West, and East. He also highlighted the importance of deepening relations between India and the EU, expressing optimism about the continued growth of their cooperation.
In addition to the Russia-Ukraine war, the two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-Finland bilateral partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in emerging fields such as quantum technologies, 6G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainability. Stubb voiced his support for the AI Impact Summit, which India will host in 2026. He also briefed Modi on recent meetings held in Washington between leaders of Europe, the United States, and Ukraine regarding the conflict in Ukraine. Modi reiterated India's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and restoring peace.
The conversation between President Stubb and Prime Minister Modi underscores the importance of India-Finland relations and the shared commitment to addressing global challenges. Both leaders recognize the need for stronger coordination in light of major geopolitical shifts, particularly those emerging from the conflict in Ukraine.
Finland and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations, with diplomatic ties established in 1949. In recent years, their bilateral relations have diversified, with collaboration in research, innovation, and investments. To commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations, a joint logo was unveiled in February 2024 by the Minister of External Affairs of India and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Beyond political discussions, Finland and India are also exploring opportunities for regular migration, encouraging labor mobility and fair working conditions. A mobility agreement is being developed to identify and explore emerging opportunities across various sectors, creating a flexible framework for deeper collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The two countries also see the upcoming World Circular Economy Forum in India in Autumn 2026 as a major opportunity to forge deeper ties between business organizations. Both countries' trade is valued at €3 billion.
Overall, the discussions between President Stubb and Prime Minister Modi reflect the strong and growing partnership between Finland and India, as well as their shared commitment to addressing global challenges and fostering cooperation in various fields.
