Finland's President Alexander Stubb kicks off 4-day visit to India; trade, innovation top agenda

Finnish President Alexander Stubb arrived in India on Wednesday for a four-day visit aimed at deepening ties between the two countries across key sectors such as trade, investment and critical technologies.

Stubb is set to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The discussions are expected to culminate in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to expand cooperation in multiple areas. The ongoing crisis in West Asia is also likely to feature prominently in their talks.

"The visit will further strengthen the relations between Finland and India, including in the area of trade," Stubb said before departing for New Delhi.

The Finnish President will attend the inaugural session of the Raisina Dialogue on Thursday evening as the chief guest. He was accorded a warm welcome at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh.

"India and Finland share a warm and friendly relationship rooted in shared democratic values. President Stubb's visit will impart further energy to India-Finland relations," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on social media.

Stubb is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes ministers, senior officials and business leaders, underlining the importance both sides attach to the visit.

His trip comes just weeks after Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo visited New Delhi to participate in the AI Impact Summit, signalling sustained high-level engagement between the two nations.

During his stay, Stubb will also call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan. On Friday, he will travel to Mumbai for meetings with leading business figures before wrapping up his visit on Saturday.