PM Modi Receives Call From Finland President; Ukraine Conflict, Partnership In Focus News24 –
President Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on the phone to discuss the continuing Russia-Ukraine war and expanding India’s relationship with the EU. PM Modi said he had a “good conversation” over telephone with the Finnish President.
“Finland is a valued partner in the EU. We discussed ways to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as trade, technology and sustainability. Also exchanged perspectives on the ongoing efforts for peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine,” the prime minister posted on X.
PM Narendra Modi tweets, “Had a good conversation with President Alexander Stubb. Finland is a valued partner in the EU.”
“Discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in key sectors such as trade, technology and sustainability. Exchanged perspectives on the ongoing efforts for… pic.twitter.com/Dc2VB0nCbM
— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2025
Stubb echoed the sentiment, stressing that both sides agreed on the urgent need for a “just and lasting solution” to the war. “Ending the war is in all our interests, it’s a shared goal. India plays an important role. It is heard and respected in the South, West and East. We also agreed on the need to further deepen the relations between India and the EU. Our cooperation grows and continues,” he wrote.
The telephonic exchange comes as India is expanding its economic engagement with European partners.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had previously announced that the Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, would come into effect from 1 October.
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed on 29 March 2024, includes a commitment of $100 billion in EFTA investments over 15 years, with $50 billion expected in the first ten years position with the remaining during the following five years.
The agreement is also expected to create 1 million jobs in India, as well as open up Indian markets to European goods such as Swiss watches and chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds at lower or no tariffs.
This conversation takes place at a time when Kyiv has also been emphasizing the importance of India’s role in bringing an end to the long war with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Modi for the greetings on Ukraine’s Independence Day just this Tuesday, and stated that “we count on India’s contribution” to bring about peace.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine values New Delhi’s commitment to peace and dialogue. He noted that the involvement of every country that is increasingly more committed to diplomacy supports global security from Europe through to the Indo-Pacific.
In a letter to Zelenskyy dated August 24, Prime Minister Modi reiterated that India has “always stood on the side of peace,” and would “continue to strive to support sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”