New Delhi : India and Denmark on Saturday took forward their unique Green
Strategic Partnership by launching a five-year results-oriented Action Plan with focus on
sectors like water, renewable energy, smart cities, food and agriculture, during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen here, that also saw the inking of a number of agreements, including on skill
development.
The visit by Frederiksen is her first to India and it is also the first state visit by a head of
government to India in the past 20 months since such bilateral visits were stopped in the wake
of the Covid pandemic.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted this factor in his speech as he said that Hyderabad House had
been witness to numerous such diplomatic meetings with visiting heads of state or government, which came to a standstill due to Covid.
“I am happy that we are making a new beginning (of holding meetings in Hyderabad House)
with the visit of the Danish PM,” he said, welcoming the delegation.
He described as “historic” the decision between the two sides to establish the Green Strategic
Partnership last year. “Our partnership is an example of how through cooperation both sides can
work towards promoting green growth using technology.” Both sides reviewed the Green Strategic Partnership, and reiterated their commitment to enhance cooperation towards mitigating climate change. He also announced that Denmark has decided to join the International Solar Alliance, which he said would add a new dimension to their partnership.
The joint statement issued after the talks said the two PMs “reconfirmed their commitment to an aspiring and results-oriented Green Strategic Partnership. They welcomed the detailed 5-year Action Plan (2021-2026) and noted the progress in its implementation. They agreed that
strengthening of the Green Strategic Partnership will be important for green growth and will
lead to mutually beneficial cooperation.
“The two PMs focused on ways to augment and consolidate green and low carbon growth as
reflected in the 5 year Action Plan. This includes the following sectors: water; environment;
renewable energy and its integration into the grid; climate action; resource efficiency and circular economy; sustainable and smart cities; business; trade and investments including
cooperation on Intellectual Property Rights; maritime cooperation, including maritime security; food and agriculture; science, technology and innovation; health and life science; cooperation in multilateral organizations; as well as cultural and people-to-people relations,” it said.
Modi said Danish companies have been in India for long, and work in fields like energy, food
processing, logistics, infrastructure, machinery, software. “They have contributed to the success of not only Make in India but also Make in India for the World. Danish companies have played a major role in contributing towards India’s vision for progress, and the speed and scale with which it seeks to move forward.”
He said the economic reforms in India, especially in the manufacturing sector, provide a great
opportunity for Danish firms.
PM Modi proposed that the two sides should collaborate in the field of agriculture technology,
and in related fields like food safety, cold chain, food processing, fertilizers, fisheries,
aquaculture and also smart water resource management, ‘Waste to Best’, and efficient supply
chains.
Both sides also had productive and detailed discussions on regional and global issues.
The joint statement had a para on Afghanistan. It said the two Prime Ministers shared
perspectives on developments in their respective regions, including the worrisome situation in
Afghanistan and agreed on the importance of: 1) Avoiding further regional destabilization; 2)
strengthening regional engagement including regional trade and connectivity, and taking firm
steps to counter radicalisation; and 3) maintaining progress on fundamental rights.
They committed to continuing support to the Afghan people, while underlining the need for
inclusivity in Afghanistan, counter-terrorism guarantees and respect for human rights, in
particular women’s rights, in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2593, adopted during India’s
presidency of the UNSC in August this year.
On the Indo-Pacific, the two PMs welcomed the recent announcement of a EU strategy on IndoPacific and noted the plans for increased European engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, it said.
On the India-EU FTA talks, it said the two PMs acknowledged the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021 as a new milestone in the India-EU Strategic Partnership and welcomed the decision to resume negotiations on an ambitious, balanced, comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement and launch negotiations on a separate investment agreement. The Prime Ministers underlined the need to start the negotiations on the FTA at the earliest.
They also welcomed the India-EU Connectivity Partnership and agreed to collaborate bilaterally and at the EU level to promote connectivity projects, it said.
In his speech, Modi also expressed gratitude to Denmark for its strong support to India in
multilateral forums. “In future too, our two democracies that believe in rules based order, will
continue to work with each other,” he added.
The Joint Statement said PM Frederiksen congratulated India on its successful Presidency of the UN Security Council and reiterated Denmark’s support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. PM Modi confirmed India’s support for
Denmark’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026.
Prime Minister Frederiksen, in her remarks, said they had a “very fruitful and productive
meeting, which illustrates the warmth in our relationship”.
“Both believe in the international system based on rules, and I am proud as Danes to have such a strong partner in India,” she said.
“Our cooperation is a great example of how green growth and green transition can go hand in
She said she was happy that Danish companies are supporting the green transition in India and
contributing to a greener and healthier life for Indians.
“I am convinced India and Denmark have a huge and untapped trade potential,“ she said, and
thanked PM Modi for accepting the invite to Denmark for the next summit.
The MoUs signed were in the field of mapping of ground water resources and aquifers, on
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Access, for natural refrigerants for tropical climates with
potential applications, and in skill development. Three commercial agreements were also
announced.
The Danish PM, who is here on a three-day state visit, also called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Source : uniindia
