Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Finland Envoy Urges Partnerships for Strategic Autonomy
Finland’s ambassador to India, Mikko Kivikoski, spoke about how countries can work together during uncertain times.
He said countries need reliable partners for important supplies and trade.
He supports rules that make international trade fair and predictable.
He said problems in West Asia are slowing plans for a new trade route called IMEC.
He also said Finland appreciates efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
He believes countries should encourage Russia to join peace talks.
Finland also supports India having a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
Kivikoski said Finland and India have many opportunities to deepen their cooperation.
Finland’s ambassador to India, Mikko Kivikoski, said countries need partners to strengthen strategic autonomy and supply-chain resilience.
He backed rules-based trade and said the India-EU free trade agreement sends a strong signal in favour of international trade rules.
Kivikoski said geopolitical issues in West Asia are currently hindering the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
He praised efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and said the global community should encourage Russia to negotiate.
Finland supports India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council and believes the Council needs reform.
- Who
- Finland’s ambassador to India, Mikko Kivikoski.
- What
- He discussed Finland-India cooperation, trade, supply chains, IMEC, the Russia-Ukraine war and reform of the UN Security Council.
- When
- In an interview after presenting his credentials to India’s President; the article gives no exact date.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To discuss shared priorities and opportunities for cooperation amid geopolitical and economic changes.
Finland’s stated position
Constraints and contrasting considerations
IMEC’s prospects
Finland’s stated position
Finland has supported the corridor from the beginning and sees alternative logistics routes as useful for reducing dependencies.
Constraints and contrasting considerations
Kivikoski said geopolitical issues in West Asia are currently hindering IMEC and stressed that any route must be feasible.
Trade and regulation
Finland’s stated position
Kivikoski said rules-based trade is beneficial and described EU measures such as CBAM and data-protection laws as supporting a level playing field and long-term sustainability.
Constraints and contrasting considerations
The interview notes India has sought easing of CBAM requirements and changes concerning professional visas and data protection; Kivikoski did not specify concessions.
Ending the Russia-Ukraine war
Finland’s stated position
Kivikoski welcomed attempts to end the war and said the international community should encourage Russia to negotiate.
Constraints and contrasting considerations
He said others are ready to negotiate but Russia is not; the interview did not present a Russian response.
- Ambassador
- Mikko Kivikoski, Finland’s ambassador to India
- Trade agreement
- The India-EU FTA was described as being in its final stage before signing; Kivikoski said it could take effect the following year.
- IMEC
- Kivikoski said geopolitical issues in West Asia are hindering the corridor for now.
- Russia-Ukraine war
- Kivikoski said efforts to end the war are appreciated and called for Russia to be encouraged to negotiate.
- UN Security Council
- Finland supports India becoming a permanent member and says the Council needs reform.
- Recent cooperation
- The article cites visits by Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and President Alexander Stubb, and a Nordic-India Summit in Oslo.
- Circular economy forum
- The 10th World Circular Economy Forum was held in Gandhinagar, organised by the governments of Finland and India.