From green shipping to blue economy: Modi hails India-Norway partnership

India and Norway elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Green Strategic Partnership" during a state visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Nor...

What Happened

India and Norway elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Green Strategic Partnership" during a state visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Norway in 40 years.
The partnership institutionalises long-term cooperation across green shipping, blue economy, Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), clean energy financing, offshore wind, fisheries, aquaculture, port infrastructure, and seafarer training.
Norway joined the India-led Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), deepening maritime and blue economy cooperation under international governance frameworks.
Both sides also agreed to cooperate on implementation of Paris Agreement Article 6.2 carbon market mechanisms, polar research, digital public infrastructure, and AI.
The Norwegian Prime Minister acknowledged geopolitical differences between the two countries while calling for unity against the weaponisation of diplomacy, trade, and technology.
The partnership is linked to the broader India-EFTA TEPA framework goal of mobilising $100 billion in investments in India and creating 1 million jobs over 15 years.

Static Topic Bridges

Blue Economy

The Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health. It encompasses fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, offshore energy, seabed mining, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology.

India has a coastline of approximately 7,517 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 2 million sq km.
India's Blue Economy policy framework is anchored in the "Blue Economy Policy Framework" (2022) and the Sagarmala Programme (launched 2015) for port-led development.
India is among the top fish-producing nations globally; fisheries contribute ~1% of GDP and employ over 28 million people.
Norway is a global leader in deep-sea technology, salmon aquaculture, and offshore oil and gas engineering — expertise directly relevant to India's maritime ambitions.
The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), launched by India in 2019 at the East Asia Summit, has seven pillars: Maritime Security; Maritime Ecology; Maritime Resources; Capacity Building and Resource Sharing; Disaster Risk Reduction; Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation; and Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport.

Connection to this news: Norway joining IPOI and the Green Strategic Partnership's focus on blue economy makes Norway a key technology and knowledge partner for India's maritime development — particularly in aquaculture, green shipping, and offshore infrastructure.

Green Shipping and Decarbonisation of Maritime Trade

Shipping accounts for approximately 2.5% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) revised its GHG Strategy in 2023, targeting net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. Green shipping involves transitioning to low-emission fuels (LNG, green ammonia, methanol, hydrogen) and energy-efficient vessel designs.

IMO: Established 1948, HQ London; India has been an IMO Council member since 1958.
Norway is a global leader in green shipping technology, operating the world's first electric-powered car ferry and home to the largest cluster of maritime technology companies.
India's Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (amended 2021 via Merchant Shipping Bill) governs Indian-flagged vessels; India is working to expand its fleet under the "Make in India" shipbuilding initiative.
Sagarmala Programme (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways): aims at port modernisation, coastal shipping development, and port-led industrialisation.
India-Norway cooperation areas in green shipping: alternative fuels, ship recycling (India is the world's largest ship-breaking nation by tonnage at Alang, Gujarat), and low-emission port operations.

Connection to this news: The Green Strategic Partnership's focus on green shipping bridges Norway's technological leadership with India's aspiration to become a leading maritime nation — directly relevant to IMO compliance timelines and India's own Net Zero targets (2070).

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and Paris Agreement Article 6.2

CCUS refers to technologies that capture CO₂ emissions from industrial sources and either store them permanently underground or utilise them in industrial processes. Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement (2015) establishes a framework for bilateral carbon trading — allowing countries to transfer "Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes" (ITMOs) to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Paris Agreement: Adopted December 12, 2015 (COP21, Paris); entered into force November 4, 2016.
Article 6.2: Enables country-to-country carbon credit transfers; both parties must track and report transfers to avoid double-counting.
Norway has one of the world's largest operational CCUS projects — the Northern Lights project in the North Sea, which stores CO₂ captured from industrial facilities in Denmark and Sweden.
India's NDC (updated 2022): Targets 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 (vs 2005 baseline) and 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
India's CCUS National Mission is under development; bilateral cooperation with Norway could accelerate technology transfer.

Connection to this news: Cooperation on Paris Agreement Article 6.2 and CCUS positions India-Norway ties at the intersection of climate diplomacy and clean technology transfer — critical for India achieving its NDC targets and accessing international carbon markets.

India-EFTA TEPA and Investment Framework

Norway is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which concluded the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India on March 10, 2024. The agreement entered into force on October 1, 2025.

EFTA members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland.
India-EFTA TEPA: First FTA-type agreement where a developed-country bloc committed to a specific investment target — $100 billion in India over 15 years with 1 million direct jobs.
TEPA does not include an ISDS (Investor-State Dispute Settlement) mechanism; an investment facilitation mechanism is included to monitor delivery.
Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund (Government Pension Fund Global) is the world's largest at approximately $1.7 trillion — a potential source of long-term capital for Indian infrastructure.

Connection to this news: The Green Strategic Partnership deepens bilateral ties within the broader EFTA-India TEPA framework, potentially channelling Norwegian institutional investment into India's green transition and blue economy sectors.

Key Facts & Data

India's coastline: ~7,517 km; EEZ: over 2 million sq km.
India is the world's largest ship-breaking nation (Alang, Gujarat).
Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched: 2019, East Asia Summit, Bangkok.
IPOI has 7 pillars including Maritime Security, Maritime Resources, and Trade Connectivity.
IMO 2023 GHG Strategy: Net-zero shipping emissions by 2050.
Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund: ~$1.7 trillion (world's largest).
India-EFTA TEPA signed: March 10, 2024; in force: October 1, 2025.
TEPA investment target: $100 billion in India over 15 years; 1 million direct jobs.
Paris Agreement Article 6.2: Bilateral Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) for carbon trading.
India's Net Zero target: 2070.
This was the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to Norway in 40 years.