PM Modi Thanks Sweden for Support After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Calls for Stronger Anti-Terror Cooperation

Gothenburg (Sweden), May 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked Ulf Kristersson and the Swedish government for extending support to India after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, last year, asserting that both nations would continue to fight terrorism and its supporters together.

Addressing a joint press interaction with the Swedish Prime Minister in Gothenburg, PM Modi said terrorism remains one of the biggest threats facing humanity and stressed the need for global unity against extremist violence.

According to a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on social media platform X, PM Modi said, “India and Sweden agree that terrorism is a serious challenge for all of humanity. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Kristersson for the support we received from Sweden following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year. We will continue the fight against terrorism and its supporters.”

The remarks came during PM Modi’s official visit to Sweden, the third leg of his ongoing five-nation diplomatic tour.

The Prime Minister also emphasised that India and Sweden are committed to strengthening cooperation in defence and strategic sectors. He stated that both countries are working towards building a long-term industrial partnership in defence manufacturing and technology collaboration.

Officials from both sides held discussions on expanding bilateral cooperation in areas such as innovation, sustainable technology, research and development, clean energy, trade, investment and advanced manufacturing.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi was conferred the prestigious ‘Royal Order of Polar Star’ Commander Grand Cross by Sweden. The honour is regarded as one of the highest recognitions that can be awarded to a foreign head of government.

The award was presented by Crown Princess Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden at a ceremony held at the County Governor’s residence in Gothenburg in the presence of Prime Minister Kristersson.

This became the 31st international honour received by PM Modi during his tenure as Prime Minister.

According to Swedish authorities, the Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748 and is awarded for exceptional personal contributions towards Sweden and Swedish interests.

The Indian and Swedish Prime Ministers also exchanged special gifts commemorating Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and highlighting the long-standing cultural and intellectual ties between the two nations.

PM Modi arrived in Gothenburg earlier on Sunday after concluding his official visit to the Netherlands. In a special gesture, Swedish Gripen fighter jets escorted the Prime Minister’s aircraft as it entered Swedish airspace.

Prime Minister Kristersson personally received PM Modi at the airport.

Expressing appreciation for the warm reception, PM Modi posted on X that he was grateful to the Swedish Prime Minister for welcoming him personally and looked forward to deepening India-Sweden friendship.

The Ministry of External Affairs described Sweden as an important strategic partner of India, particularly in the fields of technology, innovation, sustainability and green transition.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the visit would impart “fresh momentum” to bilateral relations.

“This is Prime Minister Modi’s second visit to Sweden. Sweden is an important partner for India in areas including technology, sustainability, innovation and research and development,” Jaiswal said in a social media post.

The visit also carries economic significance, with PM Modi and PM Kristersson scheduled to participate in the European Round Table for Industry, a leading platform of major European business leaders.

The two leaders will address the gathering alongside Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding investment opportunities, industrial partnerships and economic cooperation between India and Europe.

PM Modi had previously visited Sweden in 2018 during the first-ever India-Nordic Summit, which laid the foundation for stronger engagement between India and Nordic nations.

Before arriving in Sweden, PM Modi completed a two-day visit to the Netherlands, where he held talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, interacted with the Indian diaspora and met members of the Dutch royal family.

The Sweden visit is expected to further strengthen India’s engagement with Europe at a time when both sides are seeking deeper collaboration in trade, technology, clean energy, defence and global security issues.