As delivered

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is, I would say, a historic and great pleasure for me to welcome you to this dinner in honor of the official visit of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. It has been several decades, and now we are very happy to host India in Oslo.

Your presence marks a milestone in a growing relationship between two nations. And to put it into a historic context, as we just heard, Prime Minister, it is a pleasure to host you in this Medieval castle, which goes long back in time in our history. It would be very short in your history. The oldest parts here date back to 1299, the end of the Viking Age.

And as we mentioned today, Norway has one geographical area where we excel. We have the world's second longest coastline, longer than that of India. And the Viking seafarers are known for having traveled far. They are also remembered for their sailing skills, extensive trade, and the ability to learn from cultures far away, further than we think.

There is a Norwegian archaeologist, Cat Jarman, who has written about their trading patterns. She traces a gemstone, that's a beautiful carnelian bead, found in a Viking's grave. Where did it come from? She proves that this gemstone has been

traveling the rivers of Russia and Ukraine, through Turkey and Iraq, all the way from its origin in India. And it turns out that the gemstone was made in your beloved state of Gujarat, Prime Minister, in the early 800s.

It is a little story, a very small item, on a very long journey, both in geography and time, illustrating that Norway and India share the history of trading and building bonds.

So, today, our business is to take a long step to our time. Our cooperation today covers almost everything. And I remark, Prime Minister, that 25 years ago I accompanied the then Prime Minister Stoltenberg on a visit to India, and the message then was that we are now moving from one phase into a new phase of economic cooperation. Let us see what that will bring.

And in the quarter of a century, it has brought extraordinary progress in business, investments, in health, education, science and technology, space, environment, and digital infrastructure. It is the history of almost everything.

We are also engaged in dialogue on global challenges, like climate change. And since we both believe that the globe's biggest challenges cannot be solved by one country alone, we have to do it together with respect for each other's values and views. Sometimes they may differ, and then we deal with them in a diplomatic and wise fashion.

So, a few examples of what we have seen during this day, well prepared by our colleagues. I would like to thank both embassies and all our excellent collaborators:

Norwegian research institutions have now matched with Indian colleagues. There are around 70 joint projects, including in nano-technology and in medicine. This is very modern.

And then, last October, the EFTA-India Trade and Partnership Agreement came into effect. It is a unique trade agreement. A lot of new opportunities will open up. Around 160 Norwegian businesses are present in India. When we work together, our companies will have a competitive edge in the global markets.

We see the opportunity that India offers. If we can succeed working with you in India, the world is opening up. Some sectors, like circular economy, renewable energy, and shipping industries, are areas that we have excelled in for some time. We will play in a very different league when we do it with you.

And then, the digital age offers enormous potential for both our nations. You are able to land a device on the moon. So, we know that we have something to strive for. We aim for a digital future that is inclusive, accessible, and empowering for all. Which was also a theme I discussed when I met the World Bank's President, Ajay Banga, visiting Oslo recently, with a lot of inside knowledge about the partnership we are forging.

On investments, the independently managed Norwegian Government Pension Fund has expanded its investments in India. And the Norwegian Climate Fund is increasing its investment in renewable and circular economy, as in the Clean Ganga project.

So, dear Prime Minister and dear friend, the core of our relationship is the rich and growing bonds between our peoples. Because, deep down, it's all about people. 30,000 Indians and people of Indian origin live in Norway. I salute them. They make significant contributions to our society, science, and economy.

So, from a small democracy to the world's largest, let me say it like this, we are ready for India. And now, I can stand next to the Indian Prime Minister and I can say proudly: Here we stand, you and I, and together we represent one fifth of the world’s population.

Prime Minister and dear friends, this is the favorite story of a small nation, by the way. And correct me if I am wrong, but I have been told that there's a saying from India, which says; “the more you dig, the more water springs”. – Which also means; “the more you learn, the more the fountain of wisdom flows”. And the saying also fits the relationship between our countries and what we have signed today, what we have prepared for today, and what we are preparing for the future.

And my point is this, some resources like water, knowledge, and wisdom are renewable if we manage them in a responsible way. So, ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses and a toast to the enduring friendship between Norway and India, to Prime Minister Modi, and to the partnership we build together. Skål!