Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday was awarded Sweden’s prestigious ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross’ during his official visit to Sweden, adding another major international recognition to his diplomatic profile.
The honour, regarded as Sweden’s highest distinction for foreign heads of government, was presented shortly after Modi arrived in Gothenburg for bilateral engagements with Swedish leadership and business representatives. With this recognition, the Prime Minister has now received 31 international honours from different countries during his tenure.
Originally instituted in 1748, the Royal Order of the Polar Star is awarded for exceptional contributions in areas including public service, science, literature, innovation and international cooperation. The recognition is considered one of Sweden’s most prestigious civilian honours for foreign dignitaries.
Modi was received in Gothenburg by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who welcomed him during the start of the high-level visit aimed at expanding strategic and economic cooperation between the two nations.
Reacting to the reception from the Indian diaspora in Sweden, Modi shared his appreciation on social media and said, “The warmth and affection of the Indian community in Gothenburg were truly heartening. Their deep connection with India and their contribution to strengthening India-Sweden ties make us all very proud.”
Soon after arriving, the two leaders held detailed discussions covering trade, defence, innovation and emerging technologies. Officials said both sides reviewed the full spectrum of India-Sweden relations and explored ways to deepen collaboration across multiple sectors.
The talks focused on expanding cooperation in green transition, artificial intelligence, startup ecosystems, climate initiatives, resilient supply chains, space technology and defence manufacturing.
India and Sweden also discussed ways to increase bilateral trade, which reached nearly USD 7.75 billion in 2025, according to official figures.
During the visit, Modi also met Robert Maersk Uggla to discuss investment opportunities in India. The Prime Minister said discussions covered expanding cooperation in logistics, maritime infrastructure and port development projects.
“We discussed the large scope of opportunities in India and deepening investments, especially in sectors like port infrastructure, logistics and more,” Modi posted on X.
