Publication
Date: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Venue: The Conduit, Oslo (Kristian Augusts gate 21)
Det Moderne India, in collaboration with The Conduit Oslo, hosted the event “Bridging Worlds: India–Nordic Collaboration on AI & The Future of Industry” as part of India–Nordic Business Week 2025.
The session brought together thought leaders from India and the Nordic region to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and how collaboration between these regions can drive innovation with purpose. The dialogue highlighted how India’s digital scale and technological talent complement the Nordics’ strong culture of trust, equality, and sustainability.
Speakers included:
Together, they discussed how India and the Nordics can jointly shape the future of industry through responsible AI, inclusive innovation, and cross-border partnerships that support both economic growth and global well-being.
This event formed part of Det Moderne India’s broader mission to strengthen collaboration between India and the Nordic region through technology, sustainability, and human-centered innovation.
Part of India–Nordic Business Week 2025
Hosted by Det Moderne India and EY
On 15 May 2025, Det Moderne India, in collaboration with EY, hosted Navigating Business Between India and Norway — a high-level forum dedicated to strengthening bilateral business relations and fostering cross-border investment opportunities between the two nations.
The event, held at EY Norway’s Oslo headquarters, brought together leading voices from industry, diplomacy, and policy, including Erik Solheim (Former UN Director, DMI), Rajiv Memani (Chair and CEO, EY India), Arbab Dar (CEO, EY Norway), Rina Sunder (Author and Co-Founder, Det Moderne India), and senior representatives from Virke, HR Norway, Wilhelmsen, Crayon, Cambi, and Bull & Co.
Discussions centered on how Norwegian companies can navigate the evolving Indian business landscape and identify opportunities within key sectors such as technology, green transition, and trade. The dialogue also explored how collaborative leadership and cross-cultural understanding can strengthen partnerships for sustainable growth.
The event was part of India–Nordic Business Week 2025, an initiative by Det Moderne India to highlight innovation, collaboration, and shared responsibility between India and the Nordic region.
We were happy to such a big turn out!
Date: Thursday, 15 May 2025
Time: 16:00–18:00
Venue: The Conduit, Oslo
By invitation only
The India–Nordic Roundtable brings together leaders from government, business, and international organizations to explore how technology can accelerate climate transition across regions. The conversation will highlight collaborative opportunities between India and the Nordic countries, focusing on innovation, investment, and policy frameworks that drive decarbonization and sustainable industry transformation.
Through an open dialogue among experts in trade, diplomacy, and green technology, this high-level roundtable aims to strengthen the bridge between Nordic leadership in sustainability and India’s rapid progress in clean energy and industrial transition.
Speakers:
DMI was proud to present
The First and Only: India & The Nordics – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
—a powerful book that brought together the voices of trailblazers working at the intersection of leadership, gender, sustainability, and cross-cultural collaboration.
The book served as a tribute to those who had stepped into spaces where few had gone before — and had made it easier for others to follow. With contributors from India and the Nordics, The First and Only explored the powerful stories of women, companies, and allies who shaped a more equitable future.
The First and Only is more than a book — it was a call to action for inclusive leadership and a tribute to those building bridges across continents.
Erik Solheim
Former UN diplomat and Norwegian Minister of Environment, Erik Solheim was a board member of Det Moderne India and a global voice for climate action. A driving force behind international environmental diplomacy and South–South cooperation, he also championed gender equality throughout his career. As the first Norwegian to lead the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee and later as Executive Director of UN Environment, Erik had often found himself the first and only in uncharted roles — bridging politics, diplomacy, and activism on a global scale.
Rina Sunder
Rina Sunder is a leading voice in Norwegian media on India, gender equality, and India–Nordic collaboration. As author and co-founder of Det Moderne India, she built bridges between India and the Nordics to advance sustainability, ethical trade, and women’s empowerment. Often the first and only woman of Indian descent in boardrooms, conferences, and leadership spaces, she brought a compelling lens to inclusion and resilience. Her book, The First and Only, honored those who broke barriers and helped pave the way for more inclusive global leadership.
Christian Lund
Christian Lund, husband of Schibsted CEO Kristin Skogen Lund, highlighted the strength of partnership in leadership. His chapter addressed gender equality, parental leave, and how men could be effective allies in both corporate and domestic spheres. His commitment to sharing responsibilities and challenging societal norms made him a model for inclusive leadership.
Kristin Andresen
Norwegian entrepreneur Kristin Andresen’s chapter presented a powerful case of women-led development. Through grassroots efforts in Rajasthan, India, she empowered hundreds of village women with education, employment, and leadership opportunities. Her long-standing work exemplified sustainable impact through trust, local partnership, and long-term commitment.
Sindre Finnes
Economist and husband of former Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Sindre Finnes embraced his unique role as Norway’s “First Man.” His reflections on supporting his wife’s leadership and gender equality, both at home and in public life, shed light on the evolving roles of men in power partnerships and the importance of allyship.
Ajaita Shah
Ajaita Shah, Founder and CEO of Frontier Markets, contributed her perspective as one of India’s foremost social entrepreneurs driving inclusive innovation. Her work focused on empowering rural women as last-mile entrepreneurs through clean energy and digital solutions, bridging sustainability with social impact. In The First and Only, she shared her journey of building a purpose-driven enterprise that combined technology, empathy, and women’s leadership to transform livelihoods across rural India.
Here’s a matching website text in the same polished tone and structure as the previous event entry:
13 May 2025 | 09:00–13:00 | EY Oslo Office, Stortorget 7
As part of India–Nordic Business Week 2025, Det Moderne India, in collaboration with EY and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), hosted an in-depth tax seminar focused on the practicalities of doing business in India.
The session provided valuable insights into India’s evolving tax landscape, regulatory framework, and investment climate, offering Nordic companies a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Speakers included:
The discussion addressed key tax considerations for cross-border operations, compliance, and policy reforms shaping India’s business environment. The seminar also highlighted India’s growing alignment with global standards and the increasing potential for Nordic–Indian corporate collaboration.
The seminar was followed by the dialogue ‘Energy – Our Global Responsibility,’ continuing the week’s focus on sustainable growth and cross-border cooperation.
13 May 2025 | 16:00–18:00 | The Conduit, Oslo
Det Moderne India hosted the event “Energy – Our Global Responsibility” at The Conduit in Oslo, bringing together leading voices from industry, finance, and innovation to discuss how technology, investment, and collaboration can drive a just and inclusive global energy transition.
The dialogue explored how nations and companies can work together to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The session emphasized the need for cross-border cooperation to accelerate progress toward sustainable and equitable energy solutions.
Speakers included:
The discussion highlighted opportunities and challenges in achieving global energy equity, the pivotal role of innovation, and the importance of responsible leadership in meeting our shared climate commitments.
We hosted events every day throughout the week, bringing together leaders, innovators, and changemakers from India and the Nordics.
Some of the sessions were open to the public, while others were by invitation only.
Take a look at the program (open events) below to see the range of activities and discussions that took place — it was a week full of meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
DMI Represented at Exclusive Events on Global Collaborations for a Water-Secure Future, among others
Det Moderne India was honored to be invited to and represented at several exclusive events organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, under the overarching theme “Safeguarding the Planet.” These high-level sessions focused on advancing international cooperation for sustainable water management and global environmental resilience.
Key Participants
The events were chaired by India’s top leadership, including:
Event Highlights
The programme featured the ceremonial Jal Kalash inauguration, keynote addresses by the Union Minister and Chief Minister, and expert presentations on strengthening cross-border collaboration in water sustainability. Discussions emphasized shared best practices, scalable innovations, and policy pathways toward achieving a water-secure future.
These engagements provided an important platform for global dialogue on one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. DMI participated as a representative of a selected group of members, contributing to discussions that underscore the value of Nordic–Indian cooperation in sustainability and resource management.
Sharing a few glimpses here:
Muligheter og utfordringer med ny frihandelsavtale
India spiller en nøkkelrolle som leverandør til det grønne skiftet. Den nye frihandelsavtalen mellom EFTA og India ganull toll og lavere kostnader, men stilte samtidig tydelige krav til anstendig arbeid og respekt for menneskerettigheter.
Statsminister Narendra Modis forventede besøk til Norge våren 2025 ble sett på som en anledning til å styrke samarbeidet mellom de to landene. Samtidig minnet Åpenhetsloven norske virksomheter om å gjennomføre aktsomhetsvurderinger for å sikre etterlevelse av menneskerettighetene. Seminaret tok opp spørsmålet: Hvordan ser dette ut i en indisk kontekst?
Seminarprogram:
Seminaret ble avsluttet med en kort panelsamtale og åpnet for spørsmål og kommentarer fra publikum. Heidi Furustøl, daglig leder i Etisk handel Norge, modererte samtalen.
Dag: Tirsdag 14. januar
Tid: 13.30–15.30
Sted: Hausmannsgate 19
India’s growing role in the Arctic is reshaping global dynamics. How will this influence the region and the world?
As India continues to rise on the global stage, its role in the Arctic is becoming increasingly relevant. This event explored India's ambitions in the region, focusing on security, international cooperation, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. With contributions from prominent researchers, diplomats, and innovators, the discussion shed light on how India is positioning itself as a new player in Arctic affairs.
Programme:
14:00 - 14:10: Welcome: Introduction to the topic India in the Arctic
14:10 - 14:30: India's Global Role
India's growing influence in international politics and economy
14:30 - 15:00: Security and Cooperation in the Arctic
Panel discussion: The Arctic as a geopolitical arena. India's superpower ambitions
Speakers:
15:00 - 16:00: Research and Innovation: Investments in the Arctic
Speakers:
16:00 - 16:10: Summing up - Future and Strategic Directions for Nordic-India Cooperation in the Arctic
16:10 - 16:30: Networking and Mingling
Informal conversations and networking
