Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed top European executives in Gothenburg, Sweden, urging them to increase investment in India's growing economy.
The meeting signifies a strategic push to diversify European supply chains and leverage India's reform-driven growth to strengthen bilateral economic ties.
Modi said this at the European Round Table for Industry meeting, which was co-hosted by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [1, 2]. During the session, 55 senior executives attended the roundtable [3].
To facilitate deeper business integration, Modi outlined a framework for cooperation focusing on five specific sectors [4]. He proposed the establishment of an annual India-Europe CEO roundtable to maintain momentum and deepen business ties between the two regions [1, 2].
The Prime Minister highlighted India's policy continuity and reform-driven growth as primary incentives for European firms to enter the market [2]. By emphasizing a stable regulatory environment, Modi said he sought to position India as a primary destination for European capital and industrial expertise [2].
This outreach comes as India seeks to expand its global partnerships and attract high-tech manufacturing and infrastructure investment from the European Union [1, 2]. The proposal for a recurring forum suggests a shift toward a more institutionalized relationship between the Indian government and European corporate leadership [1].
“PM Modi proposed an annual India-Europe CEO roundtable to deepen business ties.”
This initiative represents a calculated effort by India to move beyond traditional trade agreements and establish direct, recurring channels of communication with the private sector in Europe. By proposing a formal annual forum, India is attempting to reduce the perceived risk for European investors through consistent high-level diplomatic assurance and structured sectoral cooperation.
