Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has sent a strong message highlighting India’s growing global importance. In a recent Bloomberg Podcasts interview, he emphasized that India should not be grouped with Russia and China. Stubb called India an “emerging superpower” and urged Western countries to strengthen their ties with New Delhi.
Finland President hails India as emerging superpower
When asked about the growing alignment between India, Russia, and China, Stubb firmly replied, “India is a very close ally of the European Union and of course of the United States as well, so I wouldn’t throw them in the same basket.” He pointed out that India has a strong population base and a growing economy, which makes it a crucial partner for the West.
Stubb contrasted this with the relationship between Russia and China. He said the partnership between Moscow and Beijing is deep and asymmetric. “In the early 1990s China and Russia had economies of the same size, but now China is over 10 times bigger. With its oil purchases, gas purchases, and technological exchange, China provides Russia the ability to conduct its war,” he noted. This, according to him, shows a very close connection between Russia and China, unlike India’s independent global stance.
This is not the first time Finland has called for greater engagement with India. At the Helsinki Security Forum 2025, Stubb had already emphasized India’s role in helping resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said, “I’ve been speaking to PM Modi recently about the situation in Ukraine. India has a geopolitical stake here. So we need to get them involved.”
He also underlined the importance of a ceasefire in Ukraine before any peace negotiations could take place. Stubb added that formal meetings and discussions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin are essential steps toward dialogue.
India’s emerging superpower status reflected in global forums
Stubb’s focus on India extends to multilateral platforms. He has attended forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, where he observed Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Stubb remarked that the camaraderie displayed at the summit reflected long-term shifts in global alignments, with India playing an increasingly important role.
During his engagement with Indian leadership, Stubb highlighted India’s consistent position on global security and peace initiatives. He emphasized India’s strategic importance and suggested that the West should actively involve India, an emerging superpower, in international discussions on security matters.
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This engagement reflects Finland’s long-term approach toward building stronger ties with India, both on global security and broader strategic issues. Stubb’s remarks underline India’s growing influence as a regional and global player, distinct from the Russia-China partnership.
Strengthening India-Finland cooperation
Beyond global security, Finland and India are also exploring stronger bilateral relations in key technological and economic sectors. Earlier this August, Stubb held a phone conversation with PM Modi to review the progress of their bilateral ties.
During the call, the leaders discussed India’s participation in international discussions on the Ukraine crisis. PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent position in favor of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution. Both leaders also highlighted the importance of cooperation in frontier sectors, including quantum technologies, 6G networks, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that Stubb expressed support for the rapid conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has been under negotiation for several years. He also backed the success of the A1 Impact Summit, which India will host in 2026.
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PM Modi invited Stubb to visit India soon, and both leaders agreed to maintain close communication. These discussions showcase the growing collaboration between India and Finland, emphasizing not only technological and economic partnership but also strategic engagement on global issues.
With these efforts, Finland is sending a clear signal to the West: India is a rising emerging superpower with significant potential, and it should be recognized and engaged as a key global partner. Stubb’s remarks reinforce India’s distinction from countries like Russia and China, highlighting its independent stance and growing influence on the world stage.