Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Sweden Backs India's Permanent UNSC Seat, Sees Defence Manufacturing Growth
The ambassador from Sweden to India, Mr. Jan Thesleff, is finishing his job in New Delhi and going home.
Before he left, he told reporters that Sweden thinks India is very important.
He said India should get a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, the big group where countries discuss world peace and safety.
Sweden supports this because India is now a big player in the world.
Sweden and India have worked together since the 1970s, when Swedish defence companies started cooperating with India.
Now, Swedish companies are building things in India, and between 250,000 and 300,000 Indian people work for them.
The ambassador remembered India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who said: 'Innovate in Sweden, manufacture with India, and serve the world.'
Sweden also joined a group of countries called NATO, and the ambassador said this made its talks with India even stronger.
He said countries that believe in rules, diplomacy and the United Nations should stick together.
That is why Sweden wants to stand beside India.
Outgoing Swedish Ambassador to India Jan Thesleff backed India's bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying New Delhi has a 'rightful place' in global governance.
Thesleff said Swedish defence companies are establishing fully-owned manufacturing facilities in India under the 'Make in India' initiative, a shift from decades of defence exports that began in the 1970s.
More than 300 Swedish companies are active in India, with over 100 operating manufacturing facilities, and between 250,000 and 300,000 Indians working directly for Swedish companies.
The ambassador said Sweden's accession to NATO has strengthened, rather than complicated, its security dialogue with India.
Thesleff urged India, Sweden and other like-minded countries to join forces in defence of a rules-based world order amid the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in West Asia.
- Who
- Outgoing Swedish Ambassador to India Jan Thesleff, speaking to ANI in an interview before concluding his tenure in New Delhi.
- What
- Sweden backed India's bid for permanent membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council and said defence manufacturing would be the next big chapter in India-Sweden ties.
- When
- The interview took place as Thesleff was concluding his tenure in New Delhi; no specific date was given in the articles.
- Where
- New Delhi, India; Thesleff also referenced Gothenburg, Sweden, recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there.
- Why
- Because Sweden considers India a world player with a rightful place in global governance and wants to deepen defence, manufacturing and strategic cooperation.
- Ambassador
- Jan Thesleff, outgoing Swedish Ambassador to India
- Key stance
- India should get a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council
- Swedish companies in India
- More than 300 active; over 100 with manufacturing facilities
- Indian employees of Swedish firms
- Between 250,000 and 300,000
- Defence cooperation history
- Since the 1970s
- Manufacturing initiative
- Make in India
- Modi's phrase
- Innovate in Sweden, manufacture with India, and serve the world
- NATO effect on ties
- Strengthened India-Sweden security dialogue
