Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star (Commander Grand Cross), marking his 31st international honor. He described the award as an "honour for 1.4 billion people of India" during his visit to Sweden . The recognition underscores deepening bilateral ties between India and Sweden, with Swedish officials framing the relationship as part of a broader strategic partnership in a "complex and unpredictable world" .
During his visit, Modi engaged with European leaders to strengthen India-EU relations, emphasizing shared values like democracy and stability. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted that India-EU cooperation could bring stability to a volatile global landscape, while both leaders agreed on the "strong potential" of the partnership . Modi addressed the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he pitched a "bold investment vision" to top European CEOs, framing India-EU ties as extending beyond economic metrics to include common democratic principles .
The visit also marked a strategic partnership between Sweden and India, with Swedish Prime Minister noting the collaboration would span multiple sectors. Von der Leyen joined the summit, signaling a "new era" in EU-India relations . Modi’s trip followed a stop in the Netherlands, which he described as a "gateway to Europe" for Indian businesses amid ongoing India-EU trade negotiations . The engagements reflect a concerted push to elevate India’s strategic and economic ties with both Sweden and the broader EU.