PM Modi, Danish PM Review Green Strategic Partnership, Discuss Ukraine

Copenhagen/New Delhi, May 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday reviewed the joint work plan of the bilateral Green Strategic Partnership, and also focused on the Ukraine conflict during their discussions in Copenhagen.

PM Modi, who arrived in the morning from Berlin, was received by the Danish PM at Copenhagen airport in a special gesture.

The two leaders headed straight for the Danish PM’s official residence thereafter for the summit talks.

The two sides also inked 9 agreements, including on migration and mobility, skill development and startups, after the talks.

In his media statement, Prime Minister Modi said: “In October 2020, during the virtual summit we gave our relationship the status of a Green Strategic Partnership. During our discussion todays, we reviewed the joint work-plan of our Green Strategic Partnership.”

PM Modi expressed happiness that significant progress has been made in many fields, especially in the areas of renewable energy, health, ports, shipping, circular economy and water management. He said that more than 200 Danish companies are operating in various areas in India – including wind energy, shipping, consultancy, food processing, engineering. He added that there are many areas of investment opportunities for Danish companies and Danish Pension Funds in India’s infrastructure sector and green industries.

PM Modi said the two sides also discussed regional and global issues, including India-EU relations, the Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. On the India-EU FTA, he expressed hope that the negotiations would be concluded as soon as possible. He said the two leaders stressed on a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

On Ukraine, he stated India’s position. “We called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and adoption of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the problem.” “We also discussed our cooperation in the field of climate. India is also committed to fulfilling the resolutions taken at the Glasgow COP-26. We have agreed to explore more opportunities for cooperation in the Arctic region,” he added.

PM Modi said the relations between India and Denmark will reach newer heights under PM Frederiksen’s leadership. He also thanked her for hosting the 2nd India-Nordic Summit, which is being held tomorrow. He also thanked her for joining the Indian Diaspora event today and added “it’s a symbol of the love you have for the Indian community.”

The Danish PM, in her remarks, said that the two sides had “a very productive meeting” and they are “moving fast in transforming our Green Partnership to achieve higher results”.

She expressed happiness that Danish solutions are playing a key role in realizing India’s green ambitions. She said India has huge potential in the area of trade and investment and said the two sides need to build stronger bridge between them. Frederiksen said the two leaders had discussed the war in Ukraine, and “the consequences of the horrible war on civilians and the humanitarian crisis there”. On the civilian killings in Bucha in Ukraine, she said : “The reports of killings of civilians in Bucha are deeply shocking; we have condemned the killings and we have stressed the need for an independent investigation.” She said that “Denmark and the entire EU strongly condemn Russia’s unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.”

Urging for India’s involvement in ending the fighting, she said: “My message is very clear, Putin has got to stop this war, and to end the killings. I of course hope that India will influence Russia also in this discussion,” she added.