Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual interaction with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven on Friday where the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and called for further cooperation on climate change.

Modi said, during Covid -19 pandemic, we realized the importance of cooperation at both regional and global level.  He added that India has provided medicines and other essentials to over 150 countries while the world was fighting the pandemic.

He added that India and Sweden can further their relationship in innovation, technology, investment, startups and research.

Interacting with Swedish premier Stefan Lofven at a virtual summit, PM Modi said the important issue of climate change is a priority for both countries and the two can work together on this.

"India's culture has always stressed the importance of living in harmony with nature. we are moving ahead on our commitments made under the Paris Agreement.

"We will not just achieve these targets, but even exceed them. Amongst G20 countries, India has progressed well on its targets. In the last five years, our renewable power capacity has increased by 162%," he said.

The Prime Minister also expressed solidarity with the people of Sweden on behalf of all Indian citizens for the recent violent attacks in Sweden and wished for a speedy recovery of those injured.

He also expressed condolences for the loss of lives in Sweden due to Covid-19.

This was the fifth interaction between the two leaders since 2015.

PM Modi had visited Stockholm in April 2018 for the First India Nordic Summit. Prime Minister HE Stefan Lofven had visited India in February 2016 for the special 'Make in India' week.

Earlier, the two leaders had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2015. In April 2020, the two Prime Ministers had a telephonic conversation to discuss the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.