Modi on European Tour: Attend India-Nordic Summit Meet

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, May 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attended the second India-Nordic summit in Denmark that primarily focused on post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, renewable energy and the evolving global security scenario.

The summit saw the participation of the prime ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The first India-Nordic summit was held in Stockholm in 2018. “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,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

Before the Nordic summit, Modi on Tuesday attended a dinner hosted by the Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark, Margrethe II at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. The official dinner was the last item on the agenda of PM Modi on the second day of his visit to Europe.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister arrived in Copenhagen and held a bilateral meeting with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen, where the two leaders discussed bilateral issues including trade between the two countries and cooperation on environmental action. The two leaders also held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

On Ukraine, Modi reiterated India’s stand of early cessation of hostilities and a diplomatic resolution of the ongoing conflict. The two leaders went on to address a joint press conference, where a number of agreements were formally signed between the two countries including a Declaration of Intent (DoI) on Migration and Mobility, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of skill development, Vocational Education and Entrepreneurship and the launch of energy policy dialogue at ministerial level between the two countries. A total of nine agreements were exchanged between the two countries.

Sharing the highlights from his visit to Denmark on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he held “productive talks” with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. In a statement post their talks, Frederiksen said she hoped that India “will influence Russia to end the war.”

In the evening, Modi also addressed the members of the Indian diaspora in Copenhagen with the Danish PM also accompanying him. More than 1,000 members of the Indian community in Denmark consisting of students, researchers, professionals and business persons, participated in the event according to an MEA statement.

Modi appreciated Danish Prime Minister’s warmth and respect for Indians and emphasized that both countries can work together in finding innovative solutions for green growth. He lauded the positive role played by the Indian community in Denmark, Ministry of External Affairs said.

After the Indo-Nordic Summit, Modi on Wednesday met his counterparts from Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Talking about “future areas of cooperation,” Modi discussed with the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre the potential for deepening engagement in areas like Blue Economy, renewable energy, infrastructure investment and others, a press release by the External Affairs Ministry said.

Modi and his Norwegian counterpart marked their first meeting since the assumption of office by Jonas Gahr Støre in October 2021. “Both Prime Ministers reviewed the ongoing activities in bilateral relations and discussed future areas of cooperation,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release. Discussions also took place on regional and global developments. As members of UN Security Council, India and Norway have been engaging with each other in the UN on global issues of mutual interest, the release said.
“Prime Minister highlighted that Norway’s skills and India’s scope provided natural complementarities. Both leaders discussed the potential for deepening engagement in areas like Blue Economy, renewable energy, green hydrogen, solar and wind projects, green shipping, fisheries, water management, rainwater harvesting, space cooperation, long term Infrastructure investment, health and culture,” the release added.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Wednesday said Modi held discussions with his Finnish counterpart about cooperation in digital innovation, digital goods and platforms. He also said the PM’s last bilateral summit meeting was with the Prime Minister of Finland was to build on existing strength that India-Finland have achieved in entire ecosystem of digital partnership.

Iceland Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir in a statement on Wednesday said she discussed about Yoga with Modi. She said, ‘We talked about Yoga, it’s quite popular in Iceland. A lot of people practice it regularly,’ Jakobsdóttir said.  Talking about the discussions held between India and Iceland, Jakobsdóttir said, ‘India and Iceland have many opportunities on issues of climate cooperation and geothermal energy along with deepening cooperation in carbon binding and fisheries sector. We talked about culture and gender equality as well.’

In their first meeting, Modi and Swedish prime minister Magdalena Andersson held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the India-Nordic summit. “In today’s meeting, the two leaders reviewed the progress made in our bilateral partnership. They also expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the Lead IT initiative.

This was a India-Sweden joint global initiative to set up a Leadership Group on Industry Transition (LeadIT) in September 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit to help guide the world’s heaviest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting industries towards the low-carbon economy. Its membership has now grown to 35 with 16 countries and 19 companies,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

On his way back to India, Modi will make a brief stopover in Paris to meet France’s President Emmanuel Macron. “President Macron has very recently been re-elected, and my visit just ten days after the result will not only allow me to convey my personal congratulations in-person, but also reaffirm the close friendship between the two countries,” the PM said in a statement before his journey.

Modi gifted a Dokra boat from Chattisgarh to Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark. Dokra is non–ferrous metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. He gifted a Rogan painting from Gujarat to Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Rogan painting is art of cloth printing practiced in Kutch, Gujarat. PM gifts a Silver Meenakari Bird figure from Varanasi to Crown Princess of Denmark, Mary. The art of silver enameling practiced in Benaras (Varanasi) is almost 500 years old. The art has its roots in Persian art of Meenakari.

PM also gifted a Brass Tree of Life from Rajasthan to the Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin. The Tree of Life symbolizes development and growth of life. The Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre was gifted a Dhaal with Koftgiri art from Rajasthan by Modi. Tarkashi (Koftgiri) on metal is a traditional art of Rajasthan in India as a means of decorating Arms and Armour.

PM gifted a wall hanging with Kutch embroidery to Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen. Kutch Embroidery is a handicraft & textile signature art tradition of tribal community of Kutch, Gujarat. Modi gifted a Pashmina stole in a Papier Mache box from Jammu and Kashmir to Prime Minister of Sweden, Magdalena Andersson. Kashmiri Pashmina Stoles have been treasured for their rare material, exquisite craftsmanship & reminiscent designs since time immemorial.