Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store at the government's representative facilities in Oslo, Norway, on May 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit: via Reuters
Norway hopes India will use its channels with Russia to push for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. Speaking to Indian journalists here in Oslo during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Norway, Mr. Store indicated that while the two sides had differences on the issue, he understood India’s need to source energy.The Norwegian government has built a fund for Ukraine and sent in military support in the conflict, and has consistently pushed for more sanctions against Russia.‘Respect’ for India’s energy needsMr. Store said it was useful to exchange views with Mr. Modi on Tuesday (May 19) on geopolitical issues, and he had “respect” for the reasons for India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He also said that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had met their Norwegian counterparts for further discussions on the issue.Elusive peace: Editorial on the Russia-Ukraine war“India is a huge country and has needs for its energy supplies. And Norway being an energy exporter, we should respect that,” Mr. Store said in response to a question from The Hindu, but added that there has to be “more pressure on Russia to come to the table and make real effort to end this war.”Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India has increased its intake of Russian oil multifold, with Russian crude that once made up less than 1% of India’s imports reaching high points of 40% of the whole.Golden era of India-Europe ties | Inside Oslo summit during PM Modi visit
