Finland's President Alexander Stubb embarks on a state visit to India, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties and explore cooperation across various sectors.
Finland's President Alexander Stubb is set to embark on a state visit to India from March 4 to 7, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit marks a significant step in fostering stronger relations between the two nations, with a focus on trade and other key areas. President Stubb will be the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the 11th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, an annual conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics.
In a post on X, President Stubb expressed his excitement for the visit, stating, "Travelling on a state visit to India. I will meet with the President of India and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as other members of the state leadership. The visit will further strengthen the relations between Finland and India – including in the area of trade."
The Raisina Dialogue, organized by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, is a three-day event that brings together global leaders, policymakers, academics, industry experts, and journalists to discuss critical international issues. The upcoming edition, titled 'Samskara — Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement', will be held from March 5 to 7, 2026.
President Stubb's visit will also include discussions with Prime Minister Modi, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional and global issues of mutual interest. A key highlight will be an exchange of views on cooperation in multilateral forums, emphasizing the importance of deepening people-to-people connections and economic partnerships.
Following the discussions, Prime Minister Modi will host a luncheon in honor of President Stubb. After his time in the capital, President Stubb will travel to Mumbai, where he will meet with the Governor and Chief Minister of Maharashtra, interact with local business leaders, and address students at the University of Mumbai.
Finland's role as a partner for India within the European Union and the Nordic region is essential, and President Stubb's visit follows the recent visit of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to India for the AI Impact Summit in February. This demonstrates both countries' commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and fostering stronger ties.
In addition, President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Samir Saran shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb will jointly inaugurate the Raisina Dialogue, with President Stubb delivering the inaugural address on March 5. This visit holds the potential to further strengthen the bond between Finland and India, opening doors for new opportunities and collaborations in various sectors.
