November 21, 2019
The number of direct flights between Helsinki and New Delhi have increased the volume of Finnish tourists visiting India, touching 21,239 in 2018
As of June 2019, Finland has invested nearly US$440 million in India with close to 100 Finnish companies currently running operations around India
Around 30 Indian companies, including Infosys, TCS, and Wipro have active operations in Finland, focussed primarily around IT and ITeS services
In the spirit of mutual cooperation, India views Finland as a quality investment destination for technology and as a key partner in the European Union
A preliminary agreement was signed between the Indian Ministry of Tourism and the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on November 21 to strengthen tourism based relations between the two countries. Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister for Culture, and Timo Harakka, Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment, Government of Finland, were signatories of the MoU. The Memorandum would allow both nations to jointly explore opportunities wherein best practices can be shared, bilateral and multilateral agreements be signed and partnerships between organizations of the two nations can be forged.
It was estimated that in 2018, a total of 21,239 Finnish tourists had visited India. The availability of direct Finnair flights between Helsinki and New Delhi have increased the volume of tourists visiting India. India’s relations with Finland have been cordial with more than 15 Agreements and MoUs signed with regard to Trade, Taxation, Culture, Investments and Technology, Road Transportation, Renewable Energy among others. Earlier this year, a Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved an MoU that will be instrumental in strengthening mutual collaboration, funding research and embarking on quality international projects in the field of Biotechnology.
The MoU follows a precedent set by an agreement on cooperation in Science and Technology that was signed on March 25, 2008 between the governments of India and Finland at Helsinki, Finland. The deal was to facilitate R&D and Innovation as well as transnational collaborations between Indian and Finnish organizations. As of June 2019, Finland has invested nearly US$440 million in India with close to 100 Finnish companies having operations in India. Meanwhile, 30 Indian companies including Infosys, TCS, and Wipro also have active operations in Finland. In the spirit of mutual cooperation, India views Finland as a key partner in the European Union.