India and Sweden strengthen defence ties through innovation, technology and industrial cooperation as the 11th Joint Working Group meeting focuses on operationalising the Strategic Partnership and advancing defence technology, cybersecurity and bilateral collaboration.
India and Sweden have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, with a focus on innovation, defence technology, industrial collaboration and operationalising the Strategic Partnership. The discussions took place during the 11th India–Sweden Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held in New Delhi.
The meeting was co-chaired by Meera Mohanty, Joint Secretary, Planning and Coordination, Department of Defence Production (DDP), Ministry of Defence, from the Indian side, and Brigadier General Dennis Hedstrom of the Swedish Ministry of Defence. The meeting provided an opportunity for both countries to review areas of cooperation and identify avenues for further strengthening defence and strategic ties.
According to the Department of Defence Production, the discussions focused on innovation in defence, operationalising the Strategic Partnership and strengthening defence industrial cooperation between India and Sweden.
The DDP stated on X that the 11th India–Sweden Joint Working Group meeting concluded successfully in New Delhi. It highlighted the discussions on defence innovation and industrial cooperation as important components of the bilateral partnership.
The Swedish delegation also held discussions with Additional Secretary (Defence Production) Dinesh Mahur. The interaction provided an opportunity to explore further avenues for cooperation in defence technology, innovation and industrial collaboration.
The latest discussions come amid efforts by India and Sweden to expand their long-standing relationship across strategic sectors. Defence cooperation has emerged as an important area of engagement, alongside technology, innovation, connectivity, telecommunications, mining, life sciences and the green transition.
Sweden’s Ambassador to India, Petra Menander, recently underlined the growing depth of bilateral relations, saying that the longstanding partnership between the two countries had deepened and reached a different level in recent years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking to IANS, Menander highlighted the contribution of Prime Minister Modi to India-Sweden relations as he completed 25 years in public service. She identified technology, innovation and the green transition as key drivers of the relationship, noting that both countries have strengths in several emerging and strategic sectors.
Artificial intelligence, connectivity, telecommunications, mining and life sciences were among the areas identified as having significant potential for deeper cooperation. The focus on technology and innovation also aligns with the broader objective of developing stronger partnerships in emerging fields.
Defence and security cooperation remain another important pillar of the relationship. The Swedish Ambassador said the action plan for the partnership agreement includes concrete measures related to cybersecurity dialogue, strengthening defence innovation and elevating the existing political dialogue.
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The 11th Joint Working Group meeting therefore comes at a time when both countries are seeking to translate their strategic partnership into greater practical cooperation. Defence industrial collaboration, technology development and innovation are expected to remain important areas as India and Sweden explore opportunities for closer engagement.
The latest meeting also reflects the growing emphasis on strengthening defence production and technological capabilities through international partnerships. With both sides identifying innovation and industrial cooperation as key priorities, the India-Sweden defence partnership is expected to focus increasingly on concrete initiatives, technology exchange and stronger industry-to-industry engagement.
