New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finland President Alexander Stubb on Thursday stressed that conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine cannot be resolved through military means alone, and called for dialogue, diplomacy and adherence to international law to restore peace.
Addressing the media after bilateral talks in New Delhi, the PM said India and Finland were aligned in their view that the world must prioritize diplomacy over prolonged military conflict. “India and Finland both believe in the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. We are in agreement that no issue can be resolved solely through military conflict,” he said, referring to ongoing crises in Middle East and Ukraine.
He said the world was passing through a phase of instability and uncertainty, with multiple regions facing prolonged conflict. “From Ukraine to West Asia, several parts of the world continue to face situations of conflict. In such a global environment, India and Europe — two major diplomatic powers — are entering a golden phase in their relationship. Our growing cooperation is imparting new strength to global stability, development and shared prosperity,” he said.
President Stubb echoed similar concerns, saying the ongoing wars had dragged on for too long and that ending them was in the interest of the international community. “We agreed that ending the war is in everyone’s interest,” he said.
In a joint statement, the two leaders reiterated their support for efforts aimed at achieving a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy based on the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
PM Modi also stressed that reform of global institutions had become urgent in view of emerging geopolitical challenges. President Stubb backed India’s case for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, saying New Delhi’s presence was crucial for a more representative global governance structure.
The talks came during the Finland President’s state visit to India from March 4 to 7, his first trip to the country since assuming office. He is visiting New Delhi and Mumbai with a high-level delegation including ministers, officials and business leaders.
India and Finland also elevated their bilateral ties to a ‘Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability’, aimed at deepening cooperation in high-technology sectors.
The two sides also signed a MoU on migration and mobility partnership, which is expected to facilitate smoother movement of skilled professionals, students and researchers between the two countries.
PM Modi said Finland had emerged as an important destination for Indian talent, particularly in technology and innovation sectors. “Finland is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for Indian students and talent. Today we have concluded a comprehensive migration and mobility agreement to connect the innovation ecosystems of our two countries,” he said.
Both sides also agreed to create a joint task force to strengthen collaboration on 6G telecommunications, while expanding cooperation in areas such as AI, semiconductors, clean energy and quantum computing.
The leaders highlighted growing collaboration between research institutions and companies in both countries, including joint initiatives in semiconductors, 6G and energy systems. Finland also welcomed India’s experience in digital public infrastructure such as UPI and discussed potential cooperation in digital transformation.
On trade, the two countries expressed optimism that the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement would unlock new opportunities for investment and commerce.
Both leaders said the agreement could significantly boost bilateral trade and deepen technology partnerships, with a goal of doubling trade between India and Finland by 2030. They also encouraged businesses to take advantage of the expanded market access and investment opportunities created by the deal.
President Stubb also welcomed India’s efforts in hosting the AI Impact Summit earlier this year and stressed the importance of developing safe, trustworthy and inclusive AI technologies.