Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top European executives at the European Round Table for Industry in Gothenburg, Sweden, on May 17, 2026 [1].

The meeting serves as a critical effort to attract foreign investment by showcasing India's economic reforms and positioning the country as a stable partner for European industry.

The visit marked the third leg of a five-nation tour [1, 2] involving the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. During the roundtable, Modi discussed India's reform-driven growth with business leaders to strengthen trade ties and elevate the relationship between India and Sweden to a strategic partnership [3, 4].

"India and Europe can become pillars of stability and sustainability," Modi said [5].

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attended the events, where the two leaders exchanged gifts and took a group photograph [6]. As part of the diplomatic engagements, Modi received Sweden's second-highest honour [7].

Sibi George, MEA Secretary (West), said the interaction saw leading business figures acknowledge India's economic transformation and policy continuity [8]. The discussions focused on how policy stability in India could facilitate long-term industrial cooperation with European firms.

By engaging directly with the European Round Table for Industry, the Indian administration aims to signal that its regulatory environment is conducive to large-scale industrial investment. The meeting in Gothenburg highlights a shift toward diversifying trade partnerships across the European continent, emphasizing sustainability and stability as core tenets of the bilateral relationship.

“"India and Europe can become pillars of stability and sustainability,"”

This diplomatic push indicates India's strategy to pivot toward high-tech European partnerships to fuel its industrial growth. By securing public endorsements from top CEOs and receiving high-level Swedish honors, Modi is attempting to reduce economic reliance on a few partners while presenting India as the primary alternative for sustainable global manufacturing.