A large group of professionally dressed people stand together and smile for a group photo in a modern, well-lit indoor setting with wooden walls and round lights in the background.

Indian Delegation visits Digital Futures at KTH to strengthen Indo-Swedish research collaboration

On 21 January 2026, Digital Futures at KTH Royal Institute of Technology welcomed a high-level Indian delegation for a visit aimed at strengthening Indo-Swedish collaboration in research, innovation, and digital transformation. The visit took place at the Digital Futures Center on the KTH Campus in Stockholm.

Five professionally dressed people stand in a corridor with wood-panelled walls and a glass window displaying the words “digital futures.” They are smiling and facing the camera.
Left to right: Prof. Saikat Chatterjee (KTH), H.E. Mr. Anurag Bhushan (Ambassador of India to Sweden), Prof. Abhay Karandikar (Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India), Prof. Stefan Östlund (Vice Rector of KTH), Annika Szabo Portela (Executive Director of Digital Futures)

The delegation was received by Prof. Stefan Östlund, Vice Rector of KTH, together with Annika Szabo Portela, Executive Director of Digital Futures, and Prof. Saikat Chatterjee, KTH. The visit began with an informal coffee gathering, followed by a welcome address from Prof. Östlund, who emphasized the importance of international partnerships in addressing global challenges through digital technologies.

A man in a suit stands at a small table with a laptop, giving a presentation in a modern, wood-panelled room. A large screen displays KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2025 with campus buildings in the background.

“Global challenges demand global collaboration. Through Digital Futures, KTH is committed to building strong, long-term partnerships with leading research nations such as India, where complementary strengths in digitalization, sustainability, and innovation create significant opportunities for impact,” said Prof. Stefan Östlund.

Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, highlighted India’s strong interest in expanding collaboration with Sweden in key areas such as telecommunications, artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainability, and smart cities.

A man in a blue suit stands beside a laptop on a tall table, speaking in front of a large screen displaying the KTH logo in a modern, wood-panelled room.

“India sees great value in deepening its collaboration with Sweden in emerging digital technologies. Platforms like Digital Futures provide an excellent environment for joint research, knowledge exchange, and the co-creation of solutions in areas critical to society, including healthcare, connectivity, and sustainable infrastructure,” noted Prof. Karandikar.

H.E. Mr. Anurag Bhushan, Ambassador of India to Sweden, also addressed the gathering, underlining the strategic importance of academic and research cooperation as a cornerstone of Indo-Swedish relations.

“Academic and research partnerships are a vital pillar of the India–Sweden strategic relationship. The engagement with Digital Futures and KTH highlights the strong alignment between our countries in advancing innovation, digital transformation, and talent development,” said Ambassador Bhushan.

Annika Szabo Portela presented Digital Futures’ mission, research focus areas, and its role as a platform connecting academia, industry, and society. This was followed by a series of technical presentations by Digital Futures faculty members, showcasing cutting-edge research across multiple domains. Topics included sustainable wireless connectivity and future 5G/6G systems, underwater autonomy, brain health and digital futures, data-driven methods in health systems, sustainable buildings through digitalization, and decision-making in critical infrastructures.

A woman stands and presents in front of a large screen displaying a digital transformation topic to three seated people in a modern wood-panelled room with drinks on tables.

The visit concluded with an open discussion and Q&A session over lunch, focusing on concrete opportunities to strengthen Indo-Swedish collaboration and exploring how Digital Futures can serve as a key enabler for joint research initiatives, researcher mobility, and innovation-driven partnerships.

A group of professionals sit attentively at tables during a seminar or conference in a modern indoor setting, with digital futures text visible on the wall in the background.

The Indian delegation included representatives from the Department of Science and Technology and the Embassy of India in Sweden, while the meeting was attended by faculty members, researchers, and colleagues from Digital Futures and KTH, including several Indian faculty members. The visit marked an important step toward deepening collaboration between India and Sweden in the field of digital futures and advanced technologies.

A group of people stand in a circle outdoors on a paved area, talking and listening to a man in a suit who gestures with his hand. Buildings and stairs are visible in the background.
A group of people, including men in suits and women in business attire, stand talking outside a modern brick and glass building near a white car on a city pavement.
A group of people gather in a modern, wood-panelled room. Some are seated at round tables, while others stand and talk. The room is warmly lit with hanging lamps. A man stands and speaks to the group.
A man in a suit stands at a small table with a laptop, giving a presentation in a modern, wood-panelled room. A large screen displays KTH Royal Institute of Technology in 2025 with campus buildings in the background.
Four people sit at a round table, smiling and looking forward in a modern café setting, whilst a woman in the background stands and smiles near a kitchen area with a coffee machine.
A diverse group of people sit attentively at tables in a modern, well-lit room with large round lights and glass walls, listening to a presentation at an event or workshop.
A group of people sit at tables in a modern, well-lit conference room with wood panelling. A screen displays a presentation, and a glass wall with the words digital futures is visible in the background.
Several people sit at tables with laptops in a modern, wood-panelled room, focusing on their screens. A woman stands at the front, possibly presenting or teaching. Rucksacks and papers are visible on the tables.
A man stands and presents at the front of a modern conference room with a large screen displaying a blue slide. Several people sit at tables, listening attentively. The room has wood-panelled walls and a professional atmosphere.
A person stands and speaks to a group of people seated at tables in a modern, well-lit room with wood-panelled walls. A glass window reads digital futures, and screens display blue graphics.
A person speaks to an audience seated at tables in a modern, wood-panelled room with a sign reading digital futures on the wall and presentation slides displayed on screens.
A speaker in a blue blazer presents to an audience seated at tables in a modern, wood-panelled room. Several people listen attentively, some with notepads and laptops in front of them.
A man in a blue suit stands beside a laptop on a tall table, speaking in front of a large screen displaying the KTH logo in a modern, wood-panelled room.
A woman stands and presents in front of a large screen displaying a digital transformation topic to three seated people in a modern wood-panelled room with drinks on tables.
A presenter stands by a screen displaying a blue slide in a modern conference room labelled digital futures, speaking to a seated audience of professionals.
A man speaks to a group of people seated at small tables in a modern conference room with wood-panelled walls and large windows, whilst a presentation screen is visible in the background.
A group of professionals sit attentively at tables during a seminar or conference in a modern indoor setting, with digital futures text visible on the wall in the background.
A group of professionally dressed adults sit attentively at tables in a modern meeting room, facing forward as they listen to a presentation. Some have notebooks, mobiles, or drinks in front of them.
Five professionally dressed people stand in a corridor with wood-panelled walls and a glass window displaying the words “digital futures.” They are smiling and facing the camera.
A large group of professionally dressed people stand together and smile for a group photo in a modern, well-lit indoor setting with wooden walls and round lights in the background.

Text: Johanna Gavefalk, Digital Futures
Photo: Rana Prathap, Indian Embassy, Stockholm

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