Finance – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Norway on Monday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening financial cooperation, expanding trade engagement, and deepening dialogue on innovation and climate action between the two countries.

The minister landed in Oslo where she was received at the airport by India’s Ambassador to Norway, Gloria Gangte, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Finance.

Meetings with Norwegian Leadership

During her stay in Oslo, Sitharaman is scheduled to call on Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. She will also hold separate bilateral meetings with Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Minister for Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth.

Officials said the discussions will focus on enhancing economic collaboration, promoting investment flows, and exploring opportunities for closer financial cooperation. India and Norway share longstanding ties in areas such as maritime industries, renewable energy, and sustainable development, and the visit is expected to further strengthen these partnerships.

The talks come at a time when both countries are looking to expand cooperation in green transition initiatives and emerging sectors, including clean technologies and sustainable finance.

Engagement with Business and Innovation Ecosystem

As part of her official programme, Sitharaman will visit the Oslo Science Park, where she is expected to interact with representatives of start-ups and technology enterprises. The interaction is aimed at exchanging views on entrepreneurship, research-driven innovation, and the role of emerging technologies in driving economic growth.

In addition, the finance minister will participate in a roundtable discussion with leading Norwegian CEOs and investors. The session is intended to encourage stronger business linkages and identify new avenues for investment between Indian and Norwegian companies.

She is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian community in Norway during a community outreach event. Such engagements with the diaspora have become a regular feature of high-level visits, reflecting the role of overseas Indians in strengthening people-to-people and economic ties.

Climate Commitment Highlighted in Munich

Sitharaman’s visit to Norway follows her participation in the Munich Security Conference 2026 in Germany. At the conference, she spoke at a town hall session titled “Degrees of Instability: Climate Security in a Warming World,” where she outlined India’s approach to climate action and sustainable development.

Addressing the gathering, the minister pointed to a significant rise in India’s financial commitment toward environmental initiatives. She noted that public expenditure on climate-related efforts has increased from about 3.7 percent of gross domestic product six years ago to nearly 5.6 percent at present.

According to Sitharaman, the figures reflect India’s decision to allocate greater domestic resources toward meeting its environmental targets rather than relying solely on international climate finance. She emphasised that the country has more than doubled its climate-related spending over a relatively short period.

While in Munich, the minister also met Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, among other global policymakers and financial leaders. The meetings focused on global economic conditions, financial stability, and cooperation in sustainable finance.

Broader European Engagement

The Norway visit is being viewed as part of India’s wider engagement with European partners. In recent years, India has expanded dialogue with European nations on trade, investment, green energy, digital transformation, and financial sector collaboration.

Officials indicated that the discussions in Oslo are expected to build momentum for stronger partnerships in innovation-driven sectors while reinforcing existing economic ties. With climate cooperation and sustainable growth emerging as shared priorities, both sides are likely to explore collaborative frameworks that support long-term development goals.

The two-day programme underscores India’s continued diplomatic outreach in Europe, combining high-level political dialogue with engagement across business, finance, technology, and the diaspora community.