India, Sweden to strengthen defence and security cooperation

Stockholm, April 17

India and Sweden on Tuesday decided to strengthen their defence and security cooperation, and agreed on an innovation partnership for a “win-win” outcome as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Swedish counterpart.

In a press statement after his talks with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, Modi said they focused on how Sweden can help India in its development journey.

“The two sides have agreed an innovation partnership and a Joint Action Plan,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi, who was the first Indian prime minister to visit the Nordic country in 30 years, said India and Sweden have agreed to strengthen their defence and security cooperation, including in areas of defence production and cyber security.

On his part, Swedish Prime Minister lauded India "global power" and said the two countries were a "perfect match".

There has been an intensification of cooperation in areas such as green technology and smart cities.

Lofven said India and Sweden have agreed to work on a security agreement.

Earlier in the day, Modi, who arrived in Stockholm on Monday, called on Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and exchanged views on strengthening bilateral cooperation across several sectors.

Modi is on the first leg of his five-day foreign tour. He will leave for the UK on Tuesday evening to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and leave for home, with a brief stopover at Berlin on April 20. —PTI/Agencies