India and Estonia are expanding cooperation across technology, defence, innovation and trade, with both countries benefiting from a growing tempo of high-level engagement and business exchanges, Estonia’s Ambassador to India, Marje Luup, has said.
Speaking to StratNews Global, Luup said bilateral relations had “really been flourishing” in recent years, pointing to reciprocal high-level visits, including Estonian President Alar Karis’ participation in the AI Summit in New Delhi earlier this year and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent visit to Estonia with a large business delegation. She said these visits had created new opportunities for companies from both sides to explore partnerships.
Technology remains the centrepiece of Estonia’s engagement with India. Describing Estonia as one of the world’s most digitally advanced nations, Luup said cooperation is growing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital governance, drones, unmanned systems and surveillance technologies. She noted that several Estonian defence companies have already established cooperation agreements with Indian counterparts and expects further collaboration as the relationship matures.
The ambassador also expressed optimism about the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, saying it would significantly strengthen commercial ties. She expects sectors such as food and beverages to benefit from easier market access, while highlighting growing interest among Estonian companies in the Indian market. Estonia is also promoting cooperation in biotechnology, education technology and prefabricated wooden housing, alongside its AI Leap programme, which aims to integrate artificial intelligence into education.
Luup said Estonia’s rapidly expanding ICT sector is creating opportunities for Indian professionals. Indian software engineers, engineering specialists and medical professionals already work in Estonia, while around 200 Indian students are pursuing higher education there, primarily in information technology, engineering, medicine and design.
On international security, Luup reiterated Estonia’s strong support for Ukraine, describing the conflict as one of existential importance for her country because of Estonia’s nearly 300-kilometre border with Russia. She said Estonia is investing more than five per cent of its GDP in defence this year and believes any peace negotiations must include Ukraine and respect its territorial integrity.
As she prepares to conclude her three-year diplomatic posting, Luup said she would leave India with “absolutely positive” memories. She highlighted the warmth of Indian people, growing tourism links, and increasing interest in Estonia as a destination for both travellers and filmmakers, adding that she intends to return to India as a tourist.
Watch the full interview for insights into one of Europe’s most digitally advanced nations and its expanding partnership with India.
