Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, with both leaders setting a target to double trade between their countries in the coming years.

The meeting formed part of Orpo’s four-day visit to India and took place against the backdrop of a newly concluded EU-India trade agreement. Orpo said the two leaders discussed bilateral ties, the EU’s relationship with India and the war in Ukraine.

“Our bilateral relationship is very good,” Orpo told the Finnish News Agency STT after the half-hour meeting. He said the talks focused on digitalisation, sustainable solutions, the clean transition, artificial intelligence and quantum technology. “These are exactly the areas where Finland has expertise,” he said.

Orpo described India as a natural partner for Finland, citing its economic growth and global influence. He said the clear message from the meeting was that India wants closer cooperation with Finland, in particular in AI and digital development.

According to Orpo, Finland aims to double trade with India in the early 2030s. Speaking to MTV News in Delhi, he said he proposed that timetable, but that Modi urged faster progress. “I proposed doubling it in the early 2030s, but Modi went further and said faster,” Orpo said.

Finnish exports to India currently stand at about €1 billion a year, Orpo said. Total bilateral trade amounts to between €2 billion and €3 billion annually.

Modi confirmed the ambition in a post on X, writing in Finnish. “The goal of India and Finland is to double bilateral trade,” he said, adding that the goal would strengthen economic relations between the two countries. He also thanked Orpo for his personal support for the EU-India free trade agreement, which he described as marking a new phase in relations between India and Europe.

Modi said the leaders discussed deeper cooperation in future technologies such as 6G, as well as innovation, clean energy, biofuels and the circular economy.

The meeting followed the conclusion in January of long-running trade negotiations between the European Union and India. The agreement still requires approval by EU institutions and ratification by India. Once in force, it is expected to reduce EU import tariffs by €4 billion a year and double EU exports to India by 2032. EU exports to India currently total about €75 billion.

“We both considered it important that the EU-India agreement was achieved in the current global climate,” Orpo said, according to STT. “We need more free trade, not barriers and tariffs.”

India has traditionally maintained high tariff protections, which prolonged negotiations with Brussels. While the agreement opens the way for broader cooperation, the EU and India hold differing positions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. India has continued trade with Russia, including oil purchases, despite the war.

Orpo said he raised Ukraine during the meeting. “The discussion was very good,” he told MTV News. “He understands Finland’s position and what this means for Europe.” Orpo added that Russia must face pressure to negotiate peace.

The talks in Delhi took place ahead of an artificial intelligence summit hosted by Modi, where world leaders have gathered to discuss regulation and development of emerging technologies. Orpo is due to deliver Finland’s national address at the summit and attend side events.

A business delegation of 22 Finnish companies accompanied Orpo on the visit, including firms from the technology, energy and industrial sectors. The Prime Minister’s Office said the aim of the trip is to promote commercial cooperation and support Finnish exports.

Modi also held bilateral meetings on Wednesday with several other leaders, including Estonian President Alar Karis and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

HT