India A Key Partner, Estonia Would Welcome PM Modi Visit: Foreign Minister

Estonia has expressed strong interest in expanding engagement with India, positioning itself as a gateway for Indian companies into European markets and calling for deeper cooperation across technology, defence and economic diplomacy, according to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.

In an interview, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said India is a “very important partner” and stressed that Estonia would be “very happy” if Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the country , underlining the need for more high-level political exchanges to strengthen bilateral ties.

Tsahkna highlighted Estonia’s ambition to act as a bridge between Indian businesses and the EU market , pointing to its digital ecosystem and the e-residency programme , which allows global entrepreneurs to establish EU-based companies remotely. He said this makes Estonia attractive for Indian firms seeking European expansion.

The minister identified key sectors for cooperation, including defence technology, artificial intelligence, IT solutions and startups , noting strong alignment between Estonia’s digital governance model and India’s growing tech capabilities. He said economic ties are expanding but still have significant untapped potential.

On global issues, Tsahkna referred to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War , stating that Estonia will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in 2027 . He described Ukraine’s reconstruction as possibly the largest rebuilding effort in Europe since the Marshall Plan , and expressed hope that India will participate in it.

He added that while India may have influence, ending the war ultimately depends on Russia’s leadership, and stressed Europe’s security concerns and the need for coordinated international pressure for peace.

Tsahkna also supported faster progress on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement , calling it important for boosting economic opportunities on both sides. He said Estonia strongly backs accelerating the deal to unlock wider trade and investment flows.

He encouraged more Indian business and political delegations, saying deeper engagement would help expand cooperation in emerging sectors and improve market access across Europe.

Bilateral trade between India and Estonia continues to grow, reflecting increasing interest in technology-driven cooperation. Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited Estonia in 2019, while Estonian President Alar Karis visited India earlier this year for an AI-focused summit, signalling growing momentum in ties.

Overall, Estonia’s outreach reflects a combination of EU market access ambitions, tech-sector collaboration, Ukraine reconstruction engagement, and stronger diplomatic outreach aimed at deepening its strategic partnership with India.