Swedish Crown Princess Victoria conferred the nation’s highest honour, Royal Order of Polar Star, on PM Modi Sunday

India and Sweden upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Ulf Kristersson endorsing an upgraded joint action plan (2026-2030) that cuts across green transition, emerging technology, trade, security and defence, climate action and economic frameworks.Addressing a European roundtable, also attended by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Modi said India and Sweden are connected by shared values of democracy, transparency, innovation and sustainability, which provide foundation for an ambitious and forward-looking economic partnership. “We consider innovation to be the medium of development… sustainability to be our responsibility. And we consider democracy to be our strength,” said the PM.Underlining the significance of political, economic and strategic convergence between India and Europe for peace and stability arou-nd the world, Modi said in today’s tense global situation, close cooperation between democracies such as India and Sweden is of paramount importance. “India has always relied on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve various tensions and problems. India and Sweden agree that terrorism is a serious challenge for the entire humanity,” said the PM, while thanking the Swedish PM for expressing soli-darity with India after the Pahalgam terrorist attack.In a special ceremony hosted in Gothenburg, Modi was conferred the ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross,’ one of Sweden’s oldest and most distinguished honours, instituted in the 18th century.‘Def ties with Sweden no longer of buyer & seller’The award is Sweden’s highest honour conferred on foreign heads of government in recognition of exceptional public service and contribution towards strengthening relations with Sweden. Modi highlighted the growing defence cooperation between the two countries. “Our cooperation in the defence sector is continuously expanding. The establishment of production facilities in India by Swedish companies stands as a testament to the fact that we are moving beyond a mere buyer-seller relationship towards a long-term industrial partnership,” he said.Discussions also focused on strengthening cooperation in supply chains, green transition, sustainable mobility, life sciences and digital technologies. “Prime Minister Modi underlined the importance of combining Sweden’s strengths in innovation and sustainability with India’s scale, talent and growth momentum,” said an Indian readout.