Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Oslo on May 18 after bilateral talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, urged that conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, saying military action alone cannot secure lasting peace. The remarks came during the Norway leg of Modi’s ongoing four-nation European tour, where both leaders stressed a shared commitment to a rules-based international order.
Modi told a televised media briefing that “India and Norway both believe in a rules-based order, dialogue and diplomacy. We agree that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone,” and added: “Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support every effort for the early end of the conflict and for peace.” The leaders discussed ways to support diplomatic solutions and reduce tensions through multilateral engagement.
The talks focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, maritime security, clean energy and the blue economy. Modi welcomed Norway’s decision to join India’s Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative and said the two maritime nations would “work together to strengthen cooperation in the marine economy, maritime security and capacity building.” He also called for reforms of global institutions to meet emerging challenges and reiterated India’s commitment to combating terrorism. “Eradicating terrorism in every form from its roots is our shared commitment,” he said.
Modi thanked Norway for standing with India after last year’s Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. During the visit he was awarded Norway’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit — described by officials as the order’s highest grade — marking what the government characterised as his 32nd international honour. A day earlier he had received Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross.
Modi arrived in Oslo from Sweden on a two-day visit, the first by an Indian prime minister to Norway in 43 years and his maiden trip to the Nordic nation. He is scheduled to take part in the third Nordic‑India Summit with leaders from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway, a meeting the Ministry of External Affairs says will aim to deepen strategic ties across trade, technology, the green transition and maritime cooperation.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/national/pm-modi-pitches-diplomacy-over-conflict-during-high-level-norway-talks-1611772
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Publish Date: 2026-05-18 19:28:00
