Espoo helps strengthen cooperation between Finland and India
The Mayor of Espoo, Kai Mykkänen, participated in Finland’s state visit to India. The trip highlighted the strengthening of relations between our two countries. Espoo has strong expertise that supports the growth of both India and Finland.
Kai Mykkänen visited India as part of the delegation accompanying President Alexander Stubb on his state visit on 4–7 March 2026. A large business delegation from Finland also participated in the trip, including representatives from Nokia, Kone, ICEYE and Neste, all of which have their headquarters in Espoo.
Espoo is the most Indian city in Finland. The Indian community plays a significant role in how Espoo attracts talent, companies and investments from India. The city’s international atmosphere, strong technology ecosystem and high-quality education make Espoo a natural partner in deepening cooperation.
“Our Indian community is a huge asset, building bridges between expertise, businesses and cultures. The EU-India trade agreement opens up opportunities for companies in Espoo, especially in cooperation related to technology, artificial intelligence and the space sector. We want to be an active partner in this development and strengthen Espoo’s role as an international hub of expertise," says Mayor Kai Mykkänen
Espoo’s role as the centre of the Indian community also came up in discussions between President Stubb and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kai Mykkänen exchanged a few words with Prime Minister Modi about the importance of the Indian community in the development of future innovations.
During the state visit, Mykkänen participated in, among other things, a Finland-India business event, which focused on infrastructure and industry, skills development, and deepening the economic relations between India and Finland. The delegation also met with local business leaders.
EU-India trade agreement creates new opportunities
In January, the European Union concluded a trade agreement with India. The EU is already one of India’s largest trading partners, and European exports to India are expected to double as a result of the agreement.
In recent years, India has intensified its cooperation with Europe, particularly in the technology and defence sectors. The trade agreement strengthens this development and opens up new markets and collaboration opportunities for Finnish companies.
India has an ambitious goal of becoming a major player in technology and space. Espoo has strong expertise in areas such as space technology, deep tech and artificial intelligence. Companies and research communities in Espoo provide an excellent foundation for cooperation that supports the growth of both India and Finland.
Also read the press release from the Office of the President of the Republic about the visit(external link, opens in a new window).