Stockholm Summit: India Rises as Climate Tech Partner for Global South

In a move that underscores India’s growing global leadership in sustainability and innovation, Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), participated in a high-powered roundtable on “Innovation in Sustainability” in Stockholm, Sweden. Organized by the Embassy of India in Sweden with the support of Second Secretary Rakesh Tiwari, the event brought together a vibrant mix of Indian and Swedish startups, climate tech innovators, investors, and policy thinkers.

A Cross-Border Innovation Platform

Held under the banner of climate action and clean innovation, the roundtable served as a dynamic platform to foster partnerships across clean energy, sustainable urban solutions, green supply chains, climate tech, and circular economy models. Participants engaged in high-level discussions aimed at translating shared goals into actionable collaborations.

Sanjiv Singh set the tone with a powerful message: “This roundtable demonstrates our shared ambition to co-create a future that is both sustainable and innovation-driven. Platforms like this are essential for building bridges between ecosystems.”

 India: A Gateway to the Global South

A recurring theme during the event was the growing strategic relevance of India in the global green transition. Swedish climate tech firms increasingly view India not only as a critical market but also as a trusted manufacturing and innovation partner for scaling solutions across the Global South. The Indian startup ecosystem’s rapid evolution and commitment to sustainability resonated strongly with attendees.

Rakesh Tiwari, Second Secretary at the Embassy, highlighted this growing synergy. “Today’s dialogue reflects not only the strength of our bilateral relationship but also our shared commitment to climate leadership. We are witnessing innovation not in silos, but through shared purpose and partnership.”

 A Win-Win for Entrepreneurs and Ecosystems

For Indian startups, the roundtable opened doors to advanced European technologies, funding opportunities, and global market access. The collaborative atmosphere energized participants from both nations, who saw the event as a springboard for scalable green projects and joint ventures.

Several founders from both countries expressed optimism about formalizing collaborations in the coming months, especially in the areas of battery storage, biofuels, green logistics, and urban carbon neutrality solutions.

“This roundtable was a powerful testament to the shared vision of India and Sweden in driving sustainable innovation. It is heartening to witness India emerging not only as a key market but also as a trusted partner for Swedish climate tech — in manufacturing, scaling, and regional outreach. Such collaborations open new doors for Indian businesses to engage with cutting-edge global solutions and build a future that is greener, inclusive, and innovation-led.” - Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT 

 Sustaining the Momentum

As the world grapples with the realities of climate change, events like this are becoming central to diplomacy, economic development, and climate strategy. The Embassy of India in Sweden has committed to sustaining this momentum by organizing more such engagements aimed at forging meaningful Indo-European partnerships in sustainability.

India’s growing recognition as both an innovation hub and a sustainability partner signals a promising future for international climate cooperation. The Stockholm roundtable may have concluded, but it marks the beginning of a deeper, action-oriented India-Sweden partnership on climate innovation.