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Attempts were made to trample democracy by imposing Emergency: PM Modi during Mann Ki Baat

Published By : Admin | June 26, 2022 | 11:30 IST
In 1975, Emergency was imposed, Right to Life and Personal Liberty was taken away: PM Modi
Despite the atrocities, people’s faith in democracy could not be shaken at all: PM Modi
In the last few years, many reforms have taken place in the space sector: PM Modi
IN-SPACe promotes new opportunities for private sector in the space sector: PM Modi
PM applauds efforts to save river in Northeast, praises ‘Recycling for life’ mission in Puducherry
With advancing monsoon, we must make efforts to conserve water: PM Modi
PM Modi praises efforts to revive Sultan Ki Bawari in Udaipur

Hello my dear countrymen Namaskar! I have received many letters from all of you for 'Mann Ki Baat'; I have also received many messages on social media and NaMoApp. I am very thankful to you for that. In this program, it is our endeavour to discuss each other's inspiring efforts; to tell the story of change through mass movement to the entire country. In this episode, I want to discuss with you today one such mass movement of the country, that holds great importance in the life of every citizen of the country. But, before that I want to ask a question to the youth of today's generation, to the youth in the age group of 24-25 years, and the question is very serious… do ponder my question over. Did you know that when your parents were your age, once even their right to life was snatched away from them? You must be thinking how could have this happened? This is just impossible! But my young friends, this had happened once in our country. This took place years ago in 1975. It was the month of June when emergency was imposed. In that, all the rights were taken away from the citizens of the country. One amongst those rights was the 'Right to Life and Personal Liberty' provided to all Indians under Article 21 of the Constitution. At that time an attempt was made to crush the democracy of India. The country's courts, every constitutional institution, the press, were put under control. The condition of censorship was such that nothing could be printed without approval. I remember when famous singer Kishore Kumar refused to applaud the government, he was banned. His entry on the radio was done away with. But even after many attempts, thousands of arrests, and atrocities on lakhs of people, the faith of the people of India in democracy did not shake… not at all! For us, the people of India, the sanskars of democracy which we have been carrying on for centuries; the democratic spirit which is in our veins, finally won. The people of India got rid of the emergency and re-established democracy in a democratic way. It is difficult to find such an example of defeating a dictatorial mindset, a dictatorial tendency in a democratic way, in the whole world. During the Emergency, I had the good fortune to have been a witness; to be a partner in the struggle of the countrymen - as a soldier of democracy. Today, when the country is celebrating 75 years of its independence, celebrating Amrit Mahotsav, we should never forget that dreadful period of emergency. The generations to come should also not forget. The Amrit Mahotsav not only encompasses the victory saga of freedom from hundreds of years of slavery, but also the journey of 75 years after independence. We move forward, learning from every important stage of history.

My dear countrymen, there is hardly any of us who, in one’s life, has not had fantasies pertaining to the sky. During one’s childhood, stories of the moon and stars in the sky attract everyone. For the youth, touching the sky is synonymous with making dreams come true. Today, when our India is touching the sky of success in so many fields, how can the skies, or space, remain untouched by it! In the past few years, many big feats related to the space sector have been accomplished in our country. One of these achievements of the country has been the creation of an agency named In-Space… an agency that is promoting new opportunities in the space sector for the private sector of India. This beginning has especially attracted the youth of our country. I have received messages related to this from many young people.

A few days ago when I had gone to dedicate to the people the headquarters of In-Space, I saw the ideas and enthusiasm of many young start-ups. I also talked to them for a long time. You too will not be able to help being surprised when you learn about them. For example, take just the number and speed of space start-ups. Till a few years ago, in our country, in the space sector, no one even thought about start-ups. Today their number is more than a hundred. All these start-ups are working on ideas, which were either not thought about earlier, or were considered impossible for the private sector. For example, Chennai and Hyderabad have two start-ups – Agnikul and Skyroot! These start-ups are developing launch vehicles that will take small payloads into space. Through this, the cost of Space Launching is estimated to come down significantly. Similarly, Dhruva Space, another Start-Up of Hyderabad, is working on High Technology Solar Panels for Satellite Deployer and Satellites. I also met Tanveer Ahmed of Digantara, another space start-up who is trying to map waste in space. I have also given him a challenge that they should evolve work technology, which can solve the problem of waste in space. Both Digantara and Dhruva Space are going to make their first launch from ISRO's launch vehicle on the 30th of June. Similarly, Neha, the founder of Astrome, a space start-up based in Bangalore, is also working on an amazing idea. This start-up is making such flat antennas which will not only be small, but their cost will also be very low. Demand for this technology can be all over the world.

Friends, in the program of In-Space, I also met beti Tanvi Patel, a school student of Mehsana. She is working on a very small satellite, which is going to be launched in space in the next few months. Tanvi told me about her work very simply in Gujarati. Like Tanvi, about seven hundred and fifty school students in the country are working on 75 such satellites in the Amrit Mahotsav, and it is also a matter of joy that, most of these students are from small towns of the country.

Friends, these are the same youth, in whose mind the image of the space sector was like a secret mission a few years ago, but, the country undertook space reforms, and the same youth are now launching their own satellites. When the youth of the country is ready to touch the sky, how can our country be left behind?

My dear countrymen, in 'Mann Ki Baat', let's now talk about a topic that will delight your mind and inspire you as well. Recently, our Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra was again in the headlines. Even after the Olympics, he is setting new records of success, one after the other. Neeraj won the silver at Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland. Not only that, He also broke the record of his own Javelin Throw. Neeraj once again made the country proud by winning the gold in Kuortane Games. He won this gold in conditions when the weather there was also inclement. This zest is the hallmark of today's youth. From Start-Ups to the Sports World, the youth of India are making new records. In the recently held Khelo India Youth Games too, our players set many records. You would love to know that a total of 12 records have been broken in these games - not only that, 11 records have been registered in the names of female players. M. Martina Devi of Manipur has made eight records in weightlifting.

Similarly, Sanjana, Sonakshi and Bhavna have also made different records. With their hard work, these players have proven how much India's prestige is going to rise in international sports arena in the coming times. I also congratulate all these players and wish them all the best for the future.

Friends, there has been another special feature of Khelo India Youth Games. This time too many such talents have emerged, who are from very ordinary families. These players have struggled a lot in their lives to reach this stage of success. In their success, their family, and parents too, have had a big role to play.

Father of Adil Altaf from Srinagar, who won the gold in 70 km cycling, does tailoring work, but, has left no stone unturned to fulfill his son's dreams. Today Adil has brought pride to his father and the entire Jammu-Kashmir. Gold winner L. Dhanush’s father is a carpenter in Chennai. Sangli's daughter Kajol Sargar’s father works as a tea vendor. Kajol would help her father and practice weight lifting as well. This hard work of hers and her family paid off and Kajol has won a lot of accolades in weight lifting. Tanu of Rohtak has performed a similar kind of miracle. Tanu's father Rajbir Singh is a school bus driver in Rohtak. By winning the gold medal in wrestling, Tanu has realized her own, her family’s and her father’s dream.

Friends, in the sports world, now, the dominance of Indian players is increasing; at the same time, a new image of Indian sports is also emerging. For example, in Khelo India Youth Games, besides disciplines that are in Olympics, five indigenous sports, were also included this time. These five sports are – Gatka, Thang Ta, Yogasan, Kalaripayattu and Mallakhamb.

Friends, there is going to be an international tournament of a game which was born centuries ago in our own country…in India. This is the event of Chess Olympiad beginning from the 28th July. This time, more than 180 countries are participating in the Chess Olympiad. Today's discussion of sports and fitness cannot be complete without another name - this is the name of Telangana's mountaineer Poorna Malavath. By completeing the 7 summit challenge Poorna has added another feather in her cap of success. The seven summit challenge…that is the challenge of surmounting seven most difficult and highest mountain peaks. With her indomitable spirit, Purva ascended the highest peak of North America Mount Denali and brought honour to the counry. Poorna is the same daughter of India who had accomplished the amazing feat of done a conquering Mount Everest at the age of just 13.

Friends, when it comes to sports, today I would also like to discuss Mithali Raj, one of the most talented cricketers in India. Just this month, she has announced her retirement from cricket which has emotionally moved many sports lovers. Mithali has not only been an extraordinary player, but has also been an inspiration to many players. I wish Mithali all the very best for her future.

My dear countrymen, in 'Mann Ki Baat' we have been discussing the successful efforts related to ‘waste to wealth’. One such example is that of Aizwal, the capital of Mizoram. There is a beautiful river 'Chitte Lui' in Aizwal, which due to neglect for years, had turned into a heap of dirt and garbage. Efforts have started in the last few years to save this river. For this, local agencies, voluntary organizations and local people, together, are also running the Save Chitte Lui action plan. This campaign of cleaning the river has also made an opportunity for wealth creation from waste. Actually, this river and its banks were full of plastic and polythene waste. The organization working to save the river, decided to build a road using this polythene, that is, the waste that came out of the river. From that, in a village in Mizoram, the state's first plastic road was built… that is cleanliness and development as well.

Friends, one such effort has also been undertaken by the youth of Puducherry through their voluntary organizations. Puducherry is situated along the sea coast. A large number of people come to see the beaches and marine beauty there. But, the pollution caused by plastic was also increasing on the sea coast of Puducherry, therefore, to save its sea, beaches and ecology, people here have started the 'Recycling for Life' campaign. Today, thousands of kilograms of garbage is collected and segregated every day in Karaikal, Puducherry. The organic waste from that is made into compost; the rest of the matter is separated and recycled. Such efforts are not only inspiring, but also lend momentum to India's campaign against single use plastic.

Friends, at this time when I am talking to you, a unique cycling rally is also going on in Himachal Pradesh. I want to tell you about this too. A group of cyclists have started from Shimla to Mandi carrying the message of cleanliness. These people will complete this distance of about one hundred and seventy five kilometers on mountain roads, only by cycling. There are children as well as the elderly in this group. If our environment is clean, our mountains and rivers, our seas remain clean; our health also gets better. You must keep writing me about such efforts.

My dear countrymen, monsoon is continuously progressing in our country. Rain is increasing in many states. This is also the time to make special efforts in the direction of 'water' and 'water conservation'. In our country, for centuries, this responsibility has been taken by the society together. You will remember, in 'Mann Ki Baat' we once discussed the legacy of step wells. The Baolis are those big wells which are reached by descending stairs. In Udaipur, Rajasthan, there is one such stepwell which is hundreds of years old - 'Sultan Ki Baoli'. It was built by Rao Sultan Singh, but due to neglect, gradually this place has become deserted and has turned into a pile of garbage. One day some youths roaming around reached this stepwell and were very sad to see its condition. At that very moment these youths resolved to change the picture and destiny of Sultan Ki Baoli. They named this mission of their - 'Sultan se Sur-Tan'. You must be wondering, what is this ‘Sur Tan! In fact, with their efforts, these youths have not only rejuvenated the step well, but have also linked it to the notes and melody of the music. After cleaning the Sultan's stepwell, after decorating it, takes place a program of harmony and music. There is so much talk of this change, that many people from abroad have started coming to see it. The most important thing about this successful effort is that the youth who started the campaign are chartered accountants. Coincidentally, a few days from now, July 1 is observed as chartered accountants day. I congratulate all the CAs of the country in advance. We can create a similar sense of awareness about our water bodies by connecting them with music and other social programs. Water conservation is actually life conservation. You must have seen, nowadays, how many 'river festivals' are being held! Whichever water sources are there in your cities, you must organize one event or the other.

My dear countrymen, our Upanishads mention about a life mantra- ‘Charaiveti-Charaiveti-Charaiveti’- you must have heard this mantra too. It means – keep going, keep going. This mantra is so popular in our country because it is part of our nature to keep moving, to be dynamic; to keep moving. As a nation, we have come this far through a journey of development spanning thousands of years. As a society, we have always moved ahead by accepting new ideas, new changes. Our cultural mobility and travels have contributed a lot in this. That is why our sages and saints had entrusted us with spiritual responsibilities like pilgrimage. All of us go on varied pilgrimages. You must have seen that this time a large number of devotees participated in the Chardham Yatra. In our country, from time to time, different Dev-yatras also take place. Dev Yatras… that is, in which not only the devotees but also our Gods go on a journey. In just a few days from now on the 1st of July, the famous journey of Lord Jagannath is going to commence. All of us are familiar with the Puri yatra in Odisha. People make efforts to ensure that on this occasion they get the good fortune of going to Puri. In other states too, Jagannath Yatras are taken out with great gaiety and fervour. Bhagwan Jagannath Yatra begins on Dwitiya, the second day of the month of Ashadha. In our texts 'Ashadhasya Dwitiya divase... Rath Yatra', this is how the description is found in Sanskrit shlokas. In Ahmedabad, Gujrat too, every year Rath Yatra begins from Ashadh Dwitiya. I was in Gujarat, so I also used to get the privilege of serving in this Yatra every year. Ashadha Dwitiya, also known as Ashadhi Bij, marks the beginning of the new year of Kutch on this day. I also wish Happy New Year to all my Kutchi brothers and sisters. For me this day is also very special - I remember, a day before Ashadha Dwitiya, that is, on the first Tithi of Ashadha, we started a Sanskrit festival in Gujarat, which comprises songs, music and cultural programs in Sanskrit language. The name of this event is – 'Ashadhasya Pratham Diwase'. There is also a reason behind giving this special name to the festival. Actually, the great Sanskrit poet Kalidas wrote the Meghdootam on the arrival of rain from the month of Ashadh. There is a verse in Meghdootam – Ashadhasya Pratham Diwase, Megham Ashlishta Sanum, that is, mountain peaks covered with clouds on the first day of Ashadha, this verse became the basis of this event.

Friends, be it Ahmedabad or Puri, Lord Jagannath also gives us many deep human messages through this journey. Bhagwan Jagannath is the lord of the world, but the poor and downtrodden have a special participation in his journey. God also walks along with every section and person of the society. Similarly, in all the journeys that take place in our country, there is no such distinction between poor and rich, high and low. Rising above all discrimination, the journey itself is paramount. As you must have heard about the Yatra of Pandharpur in Maharashtra.... In the Pandharpur Yatra, one is neither big nor small. Everyone is a Varkari, a servant of Bhagwan Vitthal. Just 4 days later,the Amarnath Yatra is also going to start from the 30th of June. Devotees from all over the country reach Jammu Kashmir for the Amarnath Yatra. The local people of Jammu Kashmir take the responsibility of this Yatra with equal reverence, and cooperate with the pilgrims.

Friends, the Sabarimala Yatra has the same importance in the South. This pilgrimage to seek Darshan of Bhagwan Ayyappa on the hills of Sabarimala has been going on from the times when this path was completely surrounded by forests. Even today, when people go on these yatras, how many opportunities are created for the poor… from religious rituals to lodging arrangements… that is, these yatras directly give us an opportunity to serve the poor and are equally beneficial to them. That is why the country, too, is now making many efforts to increase the facilities for the devotees in their spiritual journeys. If you too go on such a journey, you will also have a glance of Ek Bharat- Shreshtha Bharat along with spirituality.

My dear countrymen, as always, this time also it was a very pleasant experience to connect with all of you through 'Mann Ki Baat'. We discussed the successes and achievements of the countrymen. In the midst of all this, we also have to take precautions against Corona. However, it is a matter of satisfaction that today the country has a comprehensive protective shield of a vaccine. We have reached close to 200 crore vaccine doses. Precaution dose is also being rapidly administered in the country. If it is time for a precaution dose after your second dose, then you must take this third dose. Make your family members, especially the elderly, take a precautionary dose. We also have to take necessary precautions like hand hygiene and masks. We also have to be alert of the diseases caused by the surrounding filth during the rainy season. All of you stay alert, stay healthy and keep moving forward with similar positive energy. We'll meet again next month, until then, many many thanks. Namaskar!

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India – Finland Joint Statement on the State Visit of President of the Republic of Finland
March 05, 2026

At the invitation of the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, President of the Republic of Finland, H.E. Dr. Alexander Stubb, is on a State Visit to India from 4-7 March 2026. President Stubb, who is on his first visit to India in his present capacity, is visiting New Delhi and Mumbai and is accompanied by Ms. Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment of Finland, Mr. Matias Marttinen, Minister of Employment of Finland, and a high-level delegation comprising of officials and business leaders. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue on 5 March 2026 in New Delhi with President Stubb as the Chief Guest delivering the Inaugural Keynote Address. President Stubb’s visit follows the visit of H.E. Mr. Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland for the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

On 5 March 2026, President Stubb was warmly welcomed by Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Modi and President Stubb held wide-ranging discussions during a bilateral meeting, and jointly addressed the media. Prime Minister Modi also hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting dignitary.

The President of Finland congratulated India for successfully hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026. Both Leaders shared the view that working towards safe, trustworthy, and inclusive development of AI is of paramount importance.

The Leaders affirmed the deep and enduring friendship between India and Finland, built on a foundation of mutual respect and the values of democracy and rule of law, as well as commitment to global peace, security, and international law.

The Prime Minister of India and the President of Finland reiterated their commitment to the rules-based international order and multilateral cooperation, with the UN at its core.

The Leaders underlined the importance of redoubling efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, and the importance of global cooperation against the challenges of climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Welcoming the landmark Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union concluded in the India-EU Summit on 27 January 2026, the Leaders acknowledged the immense and mutually beneficial opportunities for both parties of increased trade and investments, including for the India-Finland bilateral relationship.

Building on the momentum provided by the India-Finland Virtual Summit on 16 March 2021 and the meetings of the Prime Ministers of both countries in the margins of two editions of India-Nordic Summit in 2018 and 2022 in Stockholm and Copenhagen respectively, as well as during the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, the Leaders emphasized their shared commitment to continue expanding and deepening the cooperation between the two nations. In this spirit, the leaders agreed to elevate the India-Finland relations to a Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability, based on converging interests and mutual benefits.

Trade and Investment

The Prime Minister of India and the President of Finland called upon the business community to make use of the vast opportunities unleashed by the landmark India-EU FTA. In this context, The Leaders agreed that the aim should be to double the value of current trade between India and Finland by 2030.

The Leaders took note of the lively interactions between the respective business communities, reflected by the large business delegation visiting India together with the Finnish President, as well as the companies that joined the Finnish Prime Minister in February in connection with the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Both leaders expressed confidence that the India-Finland Business Summit and CEOs interaction scheduled to take place in Mumbai on 7 March would help pave the way for enhancing trade, technology collaboration and investments ties.

The Leaders welcomed the growing startup collaboration, manifested by the active participation of innovative Indian startups in Slush in Helsinki and Finnish startups in Startup Mahakumbh in New Delhi, as well as initiatives such as the Indo-Finland Startup Corridor.

Digitalization

Recognizing the transformative power of digitalization as a key driver of inclusive social and economic development, the Leaders identified digital transformation, including new and emerging technologies such as 5G, 6G, high-performance and quantum computing and Artificial Intelligence, as priority areas where collaboration based on mutual trust and benefit can be strengthened. The Leaders noted India’s experience in Digital Public Infrastructure, including digital payments such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and discussed possibilities for cooperation in this area.

Against this backdrop, the Leaders asked the relevant ministries to establish a cross-sectoral Joint Working Group on Digitalization to define priorities and foster work on concrete and substantial actions driving the digital transition.

The Finnish President emphasized the positive impact of the considerable number of Indian professionals in the Finnish R&D and tech innovation ecosystems, contributing to social and economic development by means of digital transition and sustainability for the benefit of all.

The Leaders noted with satisfaction the Joint Calls by the Indian Department of Science and Technology and Business Finland to provide RDI funding for joint initiatives of Indian and Finnish companies and research organizations with focus on semiconductors, 6G, and energy systems. They also took note of the cooperation framework between Bharat 6G Alliance and the University of Oulu, Finland, welcoming all efforts to further strengthen bilateral collaboration on 6G.

Furthermore, the Leaders welcomed the work between the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Business Finland to further explore avenues of RDI collaboration with special focus on AI, noting also the discussions between the Indian Centre for Development of Advanced Computing and the Finnish IT Centre for Science with respect to High-Performance Computing.

In the field of advanced technology, the Leaders also highlighted Space tech as an emerging area of collaboration with considerable future potential and active private sector engagement between Indian and Finnish players.

Sustainability

On sustainability, both Leaders underlined the great potential in advancing clean energy solutions, notably in areas such as low carbon transition, energy efficiency, biofuels, smart grids, and green hydrogen. In addition, they highlighted the importance of cooperation in circular economy, sustainable water management and meteorology.

To this end, the Leaders welcomed the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Sustainability, bringing together relevant actors from both countries to enhance collaboration on sustainability-related issues.

Moreover, the Leaders underscored the importance of implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy, encompassing many key areas of collaboration that contribute to sustainability, including bioenergy and waste-to-energy solutions, power storage and flexible RE systems, green hydrogen, as well as wind, solar and small hydro power.

They acknowledged the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation, and collaboration under the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) and encouraged the parties to advance the deeper collaboration in circular economy, climate action, and sustainability.

Both sides acknowledged that the rapid deployment of Smart Energy solutions, including Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and other digital grid technologies, has enhanced efficiency while increasing cybersecurity risks to critical power infrastructure. They agreed to explore future areas of cooperation in promoting resilient, reliable and sustainable smart grid systems.

The Finnish President extended his appreciation to India for hosting the next World Circular Economy Forum in the later part of 2026, a Finnish initiative providing a platform to enhance circular economy solutions and bring together leading expertise in the search for new collaborative initiatives.

The Prime Minister of India acknowledged Finland’s active role in bringing together Indian, Finnish and other Nordic stakeholders in the framework of the Indo-Nordic Water Forum, promoting new collaborations and best practices in water resources management and wastewater management for circular economy solutions.

With respect to meteorological collaboration, the Leaders underscored the ongoing cooperation in aerosol monitoring and air quality forecasting between the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). They welcomed the work to establish a Virtual Research Center between FMI and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), also taking note of the already ongoing FMI-IITM research collaboration with multilateral projects exceeding a total value of Euros 11 million.

The Leaders also took note of the exchange of experiences between the Indian Ministry of Rural Development and the National Land Survey of Finland and the Finnish Environment Institute, cities, and companies about Land Stack, an integrated GIS based digital platform of land and property information.

The Leaders welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on fostering cooperation in the field of Official Statistics which provides a framework for exchange of best practices, methodologies, and technical expertise in the area of official statistics.

Mobility, education, and people-to-people contacts

The Prime Minister of India and the President of Finland recognized the importance of people-to-people contacts in all fields, including skilled workers, specialists and young professionals, researchers and students, businesspersons, and academics, thereby nurturing economic prosperity, contributing to a rich social fabric, and enhancing mutual understanding.

In this context, the Leaders hailed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Migration and Mobility Partnership, laying the frameworks for smooth, orderly, and mutually beneficial mobility for the years to come. Both sides agreed to take the steps required for the implementation of the MoU in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, that serves both India’s and Finland’s prosperity and economic growth. The Leaders also acknowledged the contacts between the respective Foreign Ministries, looking into possibilities of establishing bilateral dialogue on consular matters.

The Leaders took note of the Joint Statement endorsed by the High-Level Dialogue on Cooperation in Education (31 January 2024) and encouraged the relevant parties to accelerate their joint efforts to advance the common agenda, focusing on the agreed areas of secondary education, higher education, skill development, and student mobility.

In this context, they noted the growing interest in India towards the Finnish education system, the increasing cooperation in teacher training, as well as early childhood education institutions and schools that are being set up according to the Finnish model, as concrete expressions of the stakeholders’ shared will and commitment to continue developing the collaboration on education.

Furthermore, the Leaders highlighted the discussions on a bilateral audiovisual co-production agreement that will provide a solid frame to enhance cooperation in the film and gaming industries.

India-EU-relations

Both Leaders welcomed the new Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, endorsed in the India-EU Summit on 27 January 2026, based on shared values and principles, mutual trust, converging interests, and shared political will. They agreed that India and the EU can be stable, predictable, and trusted partners, building a multifaceted and deepening long-term relationship with many positive outcomes for both sides.

The Leaders underlined that the conclusion of Free Trade Agreement takes the India-EU relations to a new level. In addition to clear economic benefits by enhancing market access and removing trade barriers, both Leaders noted that the FTA could support economic security and resilience through diversifying critical value chains and opening new markets.

As a platform to address key trade, technology, and economic security issues, the Leaders reaffirmed their support to further enhance the work of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council as the cornerstone of the India-EU technology partnership.

The Prime Minister of India and the President of Finland underscored that the signing of India-EU Security and Defense Partnership added another meaningful dimension to the India-EU Strategic Partnership that will deepen co-operation in areas of shared interests, including maritime security, defense industry, cyber and hybrid threats, space, as well as counter-terrorism.

The leaders lauded the signing of the MoU on Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility and the launch of pilot European Union Legal Gateway Office in India.

Multilateral cooperation

The Leaders recognized the need to reform the UN system. In this context, they emphasized the importance of a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more efficient, representative, inclusive, and reflective of contemporary geopolitical realities. The President of Finland reiterated Finland’s support for the permanent membership of India in a reformed UNSC.

The leaders underscored the vital role of cooperation within the United Nations and other international bodies to safeguard multilateralism and uphold a rules-based international order, including supporting mutual candidacies and nominations.

Both sides agreed to continue their constructive cooperation in multilateral fora, including on peace and security, human rights, sustainable development as well as climate change and biodiversity.

The Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to promoting a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo‑Pacific, in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS. In this context, India welcomed Finland to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation and dialogue on Arctic matters, including through joint research initiatives, academic exchanges, and capacity-building programmes. They took note of the first India–Finland Arctic Dialogue titled "The Himalayan and Arctic Ecosystems: India–Finland Partnership for a Sustainable Future” held in January 2026 in Rovaniemi, Finland, which brought together parliamentarians, government officials, academics and experts to deliberate on strategies and pathways for deepening collaboration on Arctic matters. Both leaders also underscored the importance of advancing cooperation in the structures of the Arctic Council, and within the broader framework of the India-Nordic Summit.

Both leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner and in accordance with international law. They agreed to enhance cooperation to counter violent radicalization and extremism, combat financing of terrorism, promote internationally agreed anti‑money laundering standards, prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, and tackle terrorist recruitment. The leaders reaffirmed strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt the terror financing channels including at the UN and FATF. They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on 10 November 2025.

Both Leaders agreed to continue to support efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, including independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Conclusion

To take forward the cooperation under the India-Finland Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability, the Leaders asked the respective Working Groups on Digitalization and Sustainability to develop a future-oriented and concrete Action Plan, including definition of priority areas and related actions, and report back to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India on the progress achieved.

The President of Finland thanked the Prime Minister of India for the excellent arrangements during his state visit, and both Leaders expressed their appreciation of the open and constructive dialogue, and the forward-reaching and evolving cooperation. They agreed to continue their interaction with a solid foundation in a shared spirit of mutual respect and collaboration. President Stubb invited Prime Minister Modi to pay a visit to Finland, and Prime Minister Modi accepted the invitation.