EU-India FTA creates huge potential for 2 billion people, says Finland PM Orpo
Calling the newly concluded EU-India Free Trade Agreement a landmark moment for global commerce, Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Tuesday said the deal unlocks “huge potential” for nearly two billion people and sends a strong signal in favour of economic openness at a time of rising protectionism.
During his visit to India for bilateral talks and the India AI Impact Summit, Orpo described the agreement as a collective achievement of all 27 European Union leaders.
“I am very happy about this new trade deal. Every single European leader — all 27 — are united and very happy about this deal, because it gives us huge potential, not only for Europe, but for both of us. It means that almost two billion people are in a near-free trade area. This is what the world today needs — more free trade, fewer barriers and tariffs,” Orpo said in an exclusive interview to The Pioneer.
Praise for India’s AI leadership
Orpo, who attended the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, lauded India for hosting what he described as a “very important congress for the future of the whole planet.” “I want to thank India for hosting us,” he said.
Highlighting the technological synergies between the two nations, Orpo noted that both India and Finland have strong capabilities in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. “India and Finland — we are both very good in artificial intelligence, and in general in new technologies, digitalisation and quantum,” he said.
He underlined potential collaboration in 6G networks and quantum technologies, stressing the need for AI integration across both public and private sectors. “We need AI in all societies. We have to share our best practices and find solutions together.”
Digital infrastructure and scaling innovation
Responding to a question on India’s digital public infrastructure — including seamless mobile payments — Orpo acknowledged Finland’s own advanced systems and suggested scope for deeper commercial engagement.
“We have a very well-functioning digital infrastructure in Finland — not only because of Nokia, but because we are specialists in networks and digitalisation,” he said. Referring to discussions with Indian ministers, he added that Finnish companies could scale up their technologies in India’s rapidly modernising economy.
“You are going very fast in modernisation. We can help this and work together,” he said, expressing pride in Finland’s innovation ecosystem.
Meeting with PM Modi
On his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Orpo described the discussions as substantive and forward-looking.
“He was very well prepared. He knows our bilateral relations in detail,” Orpo said. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in sustainability, digitalisation, AI, circular economy and other sectors. According to Orpo, both sides agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade “as soon as possible.”
He also flagged the upcoming Nordic-India summit as an important platform for strengthening regional partnerships.
Orpo’s visit comes at a time of deepening engagement between India and the European Union, with the FTA widely seen as one of the most consequential trade arrangements in recent years. Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, the Finnish leader framed the agreement as a reaffirmation of rules-based trade and multilateral cooperation.
With technology, trade and geopolitics converging in New Delhi this week, Orpo’s message was clear: India and Europe, he believes, are poised to shape a more open and innovation-driven global order — together.
