CEOs Show Strong Interest in India During PM Modi’s Sweden Visit: MEA

Gothenburg (Sweden), May 2026 : Business leaders and top CEOs who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sweden have expressed strong enthusiasm for India’s growth story and praised the country’s transformation driven by sustained economic reforms over recent years, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.

Addressing reporters after the European Round Table for Industry meeting hosted by Volvo Group in Gothenburg, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said senior global industry leaders highlighted the significant changes they have witnessed in India, particularly in areas of ease of doing business, digital transformation, manufacturing growth and investment opportunities.

The high-level interaction was attended by Prime Minister Modi, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with leading European and Indian CEOs representing sectors such as technology, energy, manufacturing, automotive, and innovation-driven industries.

According to the MEA, the meeting served as a key platform to deepen economic cooperation between India and Europe, with industry leaders showing strong interest in expanding investments and partnerships in India’s rapidly growing economy.

Officials said discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, green energy, digital infrastructure and resilient supply chains. Many CEOs reportedly appreciated India’s policy reforms and stable regulatory environment, which they said have created a more predictable and attractive investment destination.

Tagore Legacy Highlighted in Gift Exchange

A key cultural highlight of the visit was the exchange of gifts between the two leaders, celebrating the shared intellectual and cultural legacy of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

MEA Secretary Sibi George said that Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson gifted Prime Minister Modi a specially curated box containing two replicas of handwritten epigrams by Tagore. The gift also included an explanatory note and a historical photograph of Tagore taken during his 1921 visit to Uppsala University in Sweden.

The gesture, officials said, symbolised the long-standing cultural and academic connection between India and Sweden, which dates back more than a century.

In return, Prime Minister Modi presented the Swedish Prime Minister with a set of collected works of Rabindranath Tagore, along with a handcrafted bag from Shantiniketan. The bag featured traditional motifs inspired by Tagore’s philosophy and was created to support local artisans.

According to the MEA, the handcrafted gift reflected Tagore’s belief that art should not remain confined to galleries but should be integrated into everyday life, thereby linking creativity with livelihood opportunities for craftsmen.

High-Level Industry Engagement

Prime Minister Modi participated in the European CEO Round Table hosted by the Volvo Group, along with Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson, European Commission President von der Leyen, and top business leaders from India and Europe.

The discussions centred on strengthening India-Europe economic ties and identifying new areas of collaboration in technology, innovation, clean energy, mobility, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Industry representatives expressed optimism about India’s long-term growth potential and highlighted opportunities for deeper engagement in sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy infrastructure, digital services and advanced manufacturing.

Officials said the meeting reinforced India’s position as a key global economic partner and underscored the growing trust between Indian and European industry stakeholders.

Part of Multi-Nation Diplomatic Tour

Prime Minister Modi is currently on the third leg of his five-nation tour, with Sweden being a key stop focused on strengthening bilateral and regional partnerships. He is scheduled to travel to Norway on May 18 as part of the next phase of his diplomatic engagements.

The MEA said the Sweden visit has further strengthened India’s global partnerships, particularly in innovation, trade, sustainability and cultural diplomacy, while also opening new avenues for investment and industrial cooperation.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)