Finland’s Ambassador to India Kimmo Lähdevirta has called EU sanctions on Russia “essential,” urged momentum on the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement, and highlighted fast-growing partnerships across defence, space, education, clean energy and talent mobility.
In a detailed interview on The Gist. Lähdevirta said Finland’s backing for EU oil sanctions remains firm, arguing they are necessary to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. Oil, he noted, remains Russia’s key revenue source. While acknowledging that India has increased its intake of discounted Russian crude, he said Europe hopes more countries will eventually shift to alternative sources while keeping the price-cap mechanism in mind.
On trade, the envoy expressed optimism that the India–EU FTA talks are entering a decisive final phase. A successful agreement, he said, would strengthen rules-based trade, enhance predictability for businesses, and unlock deeper investment flows. According to him, both markets stand to gain from clearer access and reduced barriers once talks conclude.
Finland’s economic footprint in India is expanding, with around 100 Finnish firms operating in sectors such as telecommunications, clean energy, smart grids, maritime engines and education technology. Finnish startups, he added, are increasingly drawn to India’s market, especially in digital learning tools and software for smart electricity meters. On the other side, about 20 Indian companies are active in Finland, with cumulative investments approaching €1 billion against roughly €4 billion invested by Finnish firms in India.
Lähdevirta also underscored Finland’s need for skilled professionals, pointing to the Talent Boost programme that has helped grow the Indian community in Finland from around 2,000 to more than 20,000 over two decades. He warned potential migrants about fraudulent recruitment agents and advised relying on verified or official channels.
On education, the ambassador clarified that Finnish public universities do not set up foreign campuses, but academic cooperation with Indian institutions continues through joint programmes, exchanges and research partnerships.
Space has emerged as a rapidly growing dimension of the relationship, with Finnish “new space” startups such as ICEYE and ReOrbit collaborating with Indian companies. Finland, he said, is keen on using Indian launch facilities, noting India’s strengths in geostationary launches.
Defence cooperation is anchored in a 2020 MoU between the defence ministries, with Finnish firms already working with Indian partners in small arms and technology supply. In the energy sector, Lähdevirta pointed to Finland’s strengths in clean power, smart grids and flexible balancing solutions. Wärtsilä, a major Finnish engineering company, plays a significant role in both maritime and land-based power systems and is preparing for next-generation fuels.
The ambassador said Finland views India as an increasingly important partner across strategic and technological domains, with opportunities in energy transition, space, innovation and skilled workforce mobility continuing to grow.
