On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen in Denmark. Both leaders had extensive discussions on the trade between the EU and India, cooperation in renewable energy, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. They also signed nine agreements and renewed their green partnership focusing on offshore wind energy and green hydrogen.
The two countries also agreed on a Declaration of Intent on Migration and Mobility, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in skill development, Vocational education, and entrepreneurship, and the launch of an inter-ministerial energy policy dialogue.
Modi and Frederiksen speak on Ukraine
Earlier, receiving PM Modi at the airport, Frederiksen condemned in strong words Russia’s “unprovoked and unlawful aggression.” Joining the reception by the Indian community in Denmark, she said democracies like India and Denmark should stand together on Ukraine for principles they believe mutually. She also expressed hope that India would ‘influence’ Russia to end the war.
However, PM Modi said, “We called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and adoption of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the problem.” Modi has been reiterating India’s call for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict during his speech in both Berlin and Copenhagen.
The joint statement between India and Denmark said, “The two PMs expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They emphasized that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. They discussed the destabilizing effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader implications.”
Meeting Indian diaspora
PM Modi and PM Mette Frederiksen also addressed a joint business forum. Modi highlighted the complementary skill sets of both nations and welcomed Danish companies to use the “enormous opportunities” India is providing in green technologies, cold chains, waste to wealth, shipping, ports, etc. Further, he asked Danish and Indian business communities to explore collaboration opportunities. Frederiksen, too, joined Modi in highlighting the role of business communities in forming a bridge between the two countries.
The MEA statement said PM Modi’s meeting with the Indian diaspora, accompanied by the Danish PM, was participated by more than a thousand members from the Denmarks’s Indian community, including students, researchers, professionals, and business persons.
Later PM Modi attended the official dinner hosted by the Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark, Margrethe II, at the Amalienborg Palace.
2nd India-Nordic Summit
On Wednesday, Modi also attended the second India-Nordic summit in Copenhagen with the prime ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. As the conference began, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “The 2nd India-Nordic Summit commences. A boost to our multifaceted cooperation with the Nordic region in areas like emerging technologies, investment, clean energy, Arctic research, and more.”
Reference: No winner in this war