The Embassy of India in Reykjavík and the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland hosted a half-day conference examining India–Iceland relations within the context of shifting global power dynamics. The conference explored opportunities and constraints in the areas of security and defence, technology and innovation, trade and cultural engagement, highlighting the growing relevance of this partnership in today’s geopolitical environment.

The conference commenced with opening remarks from Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, followed by a video address from Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State at the Ministry of External Affairs. Both emphasized the importance of upholding the values of democracy and the rule-of-law in a changing world and strengthening the bilateral partnership between Iceland and India even further through new and known avenues.

Advancing Political Dialogue and Strategic Cooperation: India–Iceland Perspectives on Security and Defense

The first panel of the day addressed strategic cooperation and precented India-Iceland perspectives on security and defense. The panel was moderated by Þorlákur Einarsson, Adviser at the Directorate for International Affairs and Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the speakers were Benedikt Höskuldsson, Ambassador of Iceland to India, Monty Khanna, Rear Admiral (Retd), Pia Hansson, Director of the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland and Valur Ingimundarson, Professor of Modern History at the University of Iceland. Their different backgrounds and perspectives inspired a broad and insightful conversation.

India–Iceland Economic Partnership: The Future of Trade and Investment

The second panel was moderated by Ólafur Stephensen, Secretary General for the Icelandic Federation of Trade and to speak with him about the future of trade, investment and the economic partnership of India and Iceland were Árni Sigurjónsson, Deputy General Counsel, Marel, Helgi Már Björgvinsson, Head of Airlines Partnerships & International Relations at Icelandair, Mohit Yadav, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and R. Ravindra, Ambassador of India to Iceland.

Addressing Global Challenges: Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation in Technology and Innovation

The next panel addressed bilateral cooperation in technology and trade, focusing on global challenges. There to discuss were Bala Kamallakharan, Investor and Founder Startup Iceland, Kristinn Ingi Lárusson, Chief Business Officer and Deputy CEO of Carbfix and Payal Shah, Board member WomenTechIceland, the discussion was moderated by Ólöf Kristjánsdóttir, Chair of WomenTechIceland.

Fireside Chat: The Role of Culture in Shaping India–Iceland Connections

To conclude Chandrika Gunnarsson, owner of restaurant 'Austur-Indíafélagið' and businesswoman, Einar Falur Ingólfsson, photographer and writer and Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), discussed the important role of culture in shaping the countries relations. The discussion was moderated by Guðni Bragason, former Ambassador of Iceland to India

To conclude, Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland offered closing remarks.

Photos by Tryggvi Már Gunnarsson

The full conference is available here: