Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb reiterated their commitment to the rule-based international order and multilateral cooperation, with the United Nations at its core. The joint statement issued after the visit of the President of Finland to India stated that both leaders affirmed the deep and enduring friendship between India and Finland, built on a foundation of mutual respect and the values of democracy and the rule of law, as well as a commitment to global peace, security, and international law. The leaders agreed to elevate the India-Finland relationship to a Strategic Partnership in digitalization and sustainability, based on converging interests and mutual benefits. They emphasized the importance of redoubling efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and the importance of global cooperation in addressing the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Welcoming the landmark Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union, concluded in the India-EU Summit on January 27th, both leaders acknowledged the immense and mutually beneficial opportunities for both parties, including increased trade and investment, for the India-Finland bilateral relationship.
The joint statement said that Prime Minister Modi and the President of Finland called upon the business community to take advantage of the vast opportunities created by the landmark India-EU FTA. They agreed that the goal should be to double the value of current trade between India and Finland by 2030. The leaders identified digital transformation, including new and emerging technologies such as 5G, 6G, high-performance and quantum computing, and Artificial Intelligence, as priority areas where collaboration based on mutual trust and benefit can be strengthened.
On sustainability, both leaders emphasized the great potential in advancing clean energy solutions in areas such as low-carbon transition, energy efficiency, biofuels, smart grids, and green hydrogen. They highlighted the importance of cooperation in the circular economy, sustainable water management, and meteorology.
The Finnish President expressed his appreciation to India for hosting the next World Circular Economy Forum in the later part of 2026. This is a Finnish initiative that provides a platform to enhance circular economy solutions and bring together leading expertise in the search for new collaborative initiatives.
The two leaders recognized the need to reform the UN system. In this context, they emphasized the importance of a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more efficient, representative, inclusive, and reflective of contemporary geopolitical realities. The President of Finland reiterated Finland’s support for the permanent membership of India in a reformed UNSC.
