India & Sweden to deepen collaboration through strategic innovation partnership

India and Sweden on Tuesday agreed to strengthen defence and security cooperation and also unveiled a strategic innovation partnership and a joint action plan for a "win-win" outcome during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven.

Modi, who arrived in the Swedish capital on Monday for the first bilateral visit by an Indian premier to the Nordic nation in 30 years, noted that defence and security cooperation remained a "key pillar" in the bilateral ties.

The two prime ministers had a "fruitful discussion on issues related to cooperation in innovation, trade & investment, culture and exchanged views on regional and multilateral cooperation at the delegation-level talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Two documents were agreed to between India and Sweden following the delegation-level talks – Innovation Partnership and Joint Action Plan – to maximise bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the people.

In a joint press statement after the talks, Prime Minister Modi said the two sides focused on how Sweden can help India in its development journey, reports PTI.

"I believe that the most important topic in our talks today was how Sweden can have a win-win partnership with India on the opportunities arising out of India's development. As a result, we have agreed on an innovation partnership and a joint action plan," he said.