PM Modi urges Swedish firms to ‘Make in India, Export to the World’
PM Modi pitches India as innovation and manufacturing hub during Sweden visit
Gothenburg, May 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited Swedish and European industries to expand investments in India, asserting that the country’s reform driven growth was creating unmatched opportunities in manufacturing, technology and sustainable development.
Addressing the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) in Gothenburg, PM Modi said India’s transformation over the last decade had been powered by strong governance, economic reforms and rapid infrastructure expansion.
“We have spent the last 12 years focusing on reforms, performance and transformation. With strong political will, India’s reform journey is moving ahead at full speed,” the Prime Minister said while addressing top European business leaders and policymakers.
The interaction was attended by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and executives from major European and Indian companies.
India highlights emerging sectors for collaboration
During the roundtable, PM Modi identified several sectors where India and Europe could deepen cooperation, including digital infrastructure, clean energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
He said India was rapidly emerging as a global centre for research and innovation and encouraged European firms to co-create future technologies in partnership with Indian industries.
“The next generation of technological innovation should be developed together in India,” he said, highlighting opportunities in electronics, deep-tech manufacturing, mobility solutions, urban development and life sciences.
The Prime Minister stressed that India’s expanding digital ecosystem and large consumer market offered global companies a strong platform for long-term growth and exports.
PM Modi praises India-EU trade agreement
Referring to the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, PM Modi described the pact as a landmark step capable of reshaping economic cooperation between the two regions.
He called the agreement a “transformative economic partnership” and said both sides were working towards its early implementation.
Quoting Ursula von der Leyen’s earlier remarks, PM Modi said the agreement had been described as the “mother of all deals”, reflecting its strategic and economic significance.
The Prime Minister also underlined the importance of connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), saying such projects would strengthen trade networks and improve economic integration between Asia and Europe.
‘Design in India, Make in India’
Highlighting India’s economic potential, PM Modi reiterated the government’s vision of “Design for India, Make in India and Export from India.”
He said India had become one of the world’s most attractive destinations for investment due to rapid economic growth, policy stability, modern infrastructure and digital public services.
The Prime Minister invited European companies to participate in flagship initiatives such as Make in India, the National Green Hydrogen Mission and the National Critical Mineral Mission.
He also proposed holding an annual India-Europe CEOs roundtable and suggested establishing a dedicated India desk within the ERT framework to further strengthen industrial cooperation.
Talks with Swedish business leaders
In a separate interaction with Swedish business leaders, PM Modi said India and Sweden shared common values of democracy, transparency, sustainability and innovation.
The meeting was attended by Crown Princess Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden alongside Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, discussions focused on resilient supply chains, green transition policies, digital technologies, sustainable mobility and healthcare innovation.
PM Modi noted that India-Sweden ties had evolved beyond a traditional buyer-seller relationship into a broader partnership centred on industrial growth, technology collaboration and innovation led development.
Emphasis on talent and mobility
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of education, skill development and talent mobility between India and Europe, describing India’s young workforce as one of its greatest economic strengths.
He said stronger academic and industrial exchanges could help both regions address future workforce demands while supporting innovation-driven growth
