Norway Supports India–EU ‘Mother of All Deals’, Pushes Free Trade Over Barriers
Norway’s Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, said the upcoming India-EU free trade agreement would mark a historic step and boost momentum in India’s trade relations with Norway and the wider European region.
India and the European Union are nearing the signing of an agreement that Brussels has described as the “mother of all trade agreements,” while Norway has signaled strong support for deeper economic engagement with New Delhi, even if it falls outside the framework of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Norway’s Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, said the upcoming India-EU FTA would be a historic milestone and would also boost India’s trade relations with Norway and the wider European region.
Norway is not part of the EU, but Stener emphasized that her country is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and already has a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India, which came into effect on October 1.
“This was a milestone in our relations with India,” she said, adding that any agreement between India and the EU would also be a significant step in India’s relations with Europe.
She noted that the EU is Norway’s largest trading partner, making closer economic integration between India and Europe a positive development for Oslo as well.
Regarding the broader global economic environment, the Norwegian Ambassador spoke clearly in favor of free trade at a time when tariff wars and protectionism have returned to the center of global politics.
Referring to US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, which have impacted many economies, including India and European countries, Steiner said that Norway is a small and open economy and has benefited greatly from free trade.
“We believe in a rules-based multilateral order and in eliminating trade barriers, not increasing them,” he said, emphasizing that protectionism is not the answer to global uncertainty.
The Ambassador also addressed the controversy surrounding President Trump’s repeated assertions that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.
Clarifying Norway’s position, he said that the Norwegian government has no role in selecting the Nobel Prize winner.
“The Norwegian Nobel Committee is an independent body. These decisions are made without interference from the Norwegian government or any other authority,” he said, emphasizing that the prize remains an international and independent honor.
On geopolitics, Steiner responded to recent statements by the US leadership regarding Greenland, an issue that has caused concern in Europe.
He reiterated that Norway supports Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, calling it “part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” and said that as a founding member of NATO, Norway is focused on Arctic security within the Alliance framework.
Concerning technology diplomacy, the ambassador confirmed Norway’s participation in the AI Summit to be held in India next month.
He said that Norway fully supports India’s initiative to host the summit and the larger goal of “democratizing AI.”
Norway’s Digitalization Minister will lead a large delegation at the event, including prominent business leaders, signaling Oslo’s interest in deepening tech cooperation with India.
Regarding President Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” initiative regarding Gaza, Steiner said Norway has been invited but has raised several questions about how this mechanism will integrate with the United Nations.
“We did not attend the signing ceremony in Davos. It is important for us to understand how this fits within the UN structure,” he said, reiterating Norway’s support for all genuine efforts to bring peace to Gaza and end the war in Ukraine.
Recounting the relationship between the two countries, Steiner said that India-Norway relations are on a good and stable path, driven by new trade agreements and growing business interest on both sides.
He also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Norway later this year for the India-Nordic Summit, reflecting the growing strategic and economic ties between New Delhi and Oslo in difficult global times.
