Sitharaman highlights India's expanding trade architecture in meeting with Norwegian CEOs
New Delhi/Oslo (PTI): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday highlighted India's expanding trade architecture and said the country provides a durable framework for trade, industrial collaboration and long-term investments.
In a roundtable meeting with prominent Norwegian CEOs and investors in Oslo, Sitharaman said her official visit to Norway has witnessed engaging and positive discussions on India as an investment destination and the fastest-growing major economy in the world.
"In the light of India's expanding trade architecture, including agreements with European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the EU, the UK and the US, the Union Finance Minister highlighted the conditions in India that provide a durable framework for trade, industrial collaboration and long-term investments,” the Union Finance Ministry said in a X post.
She said that Union Budget 2026-27 also underpins the reform focus of the Government of India on easing regulatory and compliance burden for citizens and companies.
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The participants appreciated the predictable policy and macroeconomic environment in India and acknowledged the reform efforts and momentum by the government, the Ministry said.
The CEO of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) made a presentation highlighting India's growth and reform story and the potential and scope of investment opportunities between the two countries across key sectors.
The roundtable covered deliberations around the existing and potential opportunities for business and investment cooperation across key sectors, including renewables, carbon capture, rare earths, and financial services.
Separately, Sitharaman met Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who said that the country is looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for later in the year and conveyed his confidence that it would further expand India-Norway cooperation.
Store appreciated India's reform momentum and said that Norway and India can collaborate in the sectors of fisheries, health tech, maritime and space.
The two leaders discussed EFTA and TEPA operationalisation and outlined key areas of collaboration between the two countries, including in areas related to high-tech manufacturing, carbon capture storage, start-ups, semiconductors, renewable energy, and waste management, among others.
India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) came into effect on October 1, 2025, while India and the U.K., in July 2025, signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
In January this year, India and the EU concluded negotiations for a historic free trade agreement (FTA). Earlier this month, India and the US agreed to an interim trade deal.
Sitharaman also met Norway's Minister for Trade & Industry, Cecilie Mysreth and Even Tronstad Sagebakken, State Secretary, Fisheries and Ocean Policy, in Oslo.
The leaders discussed ways of forging deeper cooperation and exploring mutual opportunities in the areas of green tech, rare earth processing, maritime and shipping industries, and fisheries, among others, especially in the context of the India-EFTA TEPA deal.
Sitharaman said the effective operationalisation of TEPA will foster mutual benefits for both sides and that she looked forward to the timely operationalisation of the same, the Finance Ministry said.
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Azharuddin joins former captains in appeal for fair treatment to Imran Khan
Hyderabad (PTI): Former cricketer and Telangana Minister Mohammad Azharuddin has joined several former international captains in voicing concern for the health of Imran Khan and appealed to the Pakistan government to treat the cricketer-turned-politician with "dignity".
In a post on 'X', Azharuddin said he was deeply saddened to hear about the health condition of "Imran bhai".
"Cricket has given us many shared moments, and as a fellow sportsman who has shared the platform and learned from him, I sincerely appeal that he be treated with dignity. Praying for his good health and strength for his family," said Azharuddin, Telangana Minister for Minorities Welfare.
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Indian greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev were among 14 former captains who have written a letter expressing "deep concern" about Khan's deteriorating health and urging the Pakistan government to ensure adequate medical attention and dignified conditions in line with international standards.
There have been reports that Khan has lost approximately 85 per cent of vision in his right eye due to alleged medical neglect while in custody at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.
The signatories include Michael Atherton, Allan Border, Michael Brearley, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Belinda Clark, David Gower, Kim Hughes, Nasser Hussain, Clive Lloyd, Steve Waugh and John Wright.
"We, the undersigned former captains of our national cricket teams, write with deep concern regarding the reported treatment and incarceration conditions of Imran Khan, the distinguished former Captain of Pakistan and a legendary figure in world cricket," the letter stated.
The 1992 World Cup-winning skipper, who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case in 2023.
In their appeal, the former captains sought immediate and ongoing medical attention from specialists of Khan's choosing, humane and dignified detention conditions, including family visits, and fair and transparent access to legal processes.
