Modi, Finland's Stubb Sign Key Agreements; PM Hails 'Golden Era' in India-Europe Ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb held wide-ranging talks in New Delhi on Wednesday, exchanging agreements on environmental cooperation, migration and mobility partnership, and statistics — while affirming that India and Europe are entering a "golden era" in their bilateral relationship amid a world of deepening instability.

The two leaders covered a broad spectrum of bilateral priorities, signing agreements across environmental cooperation, migration and mobility, and statistical collaboration. They also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual concern, including coordination in multilateral forums — a reflection of the growing convergence between Indian and European foreign policy priorities.

Speaking at the joint press interaction, Prime Minister Modi offered a sober assessment of the global moment. "The world is going through a phase of instability and uncertainty," he said, citing ongoing conflicts from Ukraine to West Asia. Against this backdrop, he described the deepening India-Europe partnership as a stabilising force — one that is "strengthening global stability, development, and shared prosperity."

Modi was unequivocal on the question of conflict resolution. India and Finland, he said, are united in the belief that military force alone cannot settle disputes, and that both countries will continue to support every effort for an early and peaceful end to ongoing conflicts — whether in Ukraine or in West Asia.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the recently signed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement — described as historic — noting that the landmark deal, concluded at the start of 2026, will significantly deepen trade, investment, and technological cooperation between India and Finland specifically, as well as between India and the European bloc more broadly.

President Stubb arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for a four-day state visit — his first to India in his current capacity — and was received by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. He is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and meet Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan. In a high-profile addition to the visit, President Stubb will serve as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 11th Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.