Institute of International Affairs and Embassy of India organised a half-day conference on India-Iceland relations in a changing world: Opportunities and Constraints on 25 March 2026. Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh delivered the opening address through a video message at the first-ever conference on 'India-Iceland Relations in a Changing World'. MOS highlighted the long standing friendly bilateral relations and for growth in the future in the context of India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. MOS also recalled his successful visit to Iceland in September 2025.
Foreign Minister of Iceland H. E. Ms. Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir opened the conference. In her address, FM noted that India was important partner for Iceland and highlighted intensification of bilateral engagement in the recent past. The conference was co-hosted by Institute of International Affairs, University of Iceland and Embassy of India in Reykjavik.
The conference comprised of four different sessions. Session 1 titled Advancing Political Dialogue and Strategic Cooperation: India–Iceland Perspectives on Security and Defense was moderated by Þorlákur Einarsson, Adviser, Directorate for International Affairs and Policy, MFA. The speakers in the session were Benedikt Höskuldsson, Ambassador of Iceland to India, Monty Khanna, Rear Admiral (Retd), Pia Hansson, Director of the Institute of International Affairs and Mr Valur Ingimundarson, Professor of Modern History, University of Iceland.
Session 2 titled India–Iceland Economic Partnership: The Future of Trade and Investment was moderated by Ólafur Stephensen, Secretary General for the Icelandic Federation of Trade. The speakers were Árni Sigurjónsson, Deputy General Counsel, Marel, Helgi Már Björgvinsson, Head of Airlines Partnerships & International Relations, Icelandair, Mr Mohit Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Sh. R. Ravindra, Ambassador of India to Iceland.
Session 3 titled Addressing Global Challenges: Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation in Technology and Innovation was moderated by Ólöf Kristjánsdóttir, Chair of WomenTechIceland. The speakers were Bala Kamallakharan, Investor & Founder Startup Iceland, Kristinn Ingi Lárusson, Chief Business Officer and Deputy CEO of Carbfix and Payal Shah, Board member WomenTechIceland.
Session 4 titled Fireside Chat: The Role of Culture in Shaping India–Iceland Connections was moderated by Guðni Bragason, former Ambassador of Iceland to India. The speakers were Chandrika Gunnarsson, owner of restaurant 'Austur-Indíafélagið' and businesswoman, Einar Falur Ingólfsson, photographer and writer and Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). The closing remarks were made by Ms Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland.
More than 90 participants representing academia, business, diplomatic community and civil society attended the sessions.
