Norway and India strengthen cooperation – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

For the third time in eight years, Norway is set to host a Nordic-Indian summit. In this context, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also on an official visit to Norway.

It has been many years since there has been an Indian visit of the same level to this country. The last time was during the visit of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1983.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met Modi in Gardermoen on Monday morning, before the two traveled to Oslo for official meetings.

Intensify cooperation

After the discussions, the two prime ministers each made statements during a brief press conference.

The host, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, spoke about global challenges, but also about trade and cooperation between the two countries. Today, trade is even more open following the trade agreement concluded by India.

EFTA (European Free Trade Association) is an intergovernmental organization for the promotion of free trade and economic integration. It currently consists of four member states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

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Støre spoke about the values ​​that the two countries share, as two democratic countries. But at the same time he emphasizes that there are also differences between the two.

The cooperation agreement signed today covers many different areas. And Støre said several new agreements were to be signed.

Doubling of exchanges

– This reflects the growing partnership between India and Norway. We may be different in geography, culture, size and history, but we have much to gain from working more closely together, the Norwegian Prime Minister said.

He said trade had doubled in the past ten years. But he now plans even greater growth:

– This means new and significant opportunities for investment, innovation and job creation in areas such as green technologies, renewable energy, maritime industries and seafood, Støre said.

He also said they should work toward closer cooperation in digital health, artificial intelligence, research, health technology and digital development.

And part of what the two countries have agreed on is a memorandum of understanding on digital development work with the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

– Through this agreement, Norway and India will work together to develop and share open digital solutions that other countries can also use, said Development Minister Åsmund Aukrust.

Modi did not answer questions

Modi also listed the different areas in which Norway and India should cooperate.

He particularly thanked Norway for facilitating Indian research presence in the Arctic.

He further clarified that the two countries had spoken about conflicts in the world:

– India and Norway believe in a rules-based order. We both agree that solutions to problems cannot be found through military conflict. Whether it is Ukraine or Western Asia.

– Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you accept questions from the world’s freest press, a reporter shouted as the two prime ministers left the podium and the press room.

Modi therefore did not want to respond, while Støre made a press tour at the end of the meeting between the two.

After the meeting with Støre, Modi had an audience with King Harald at the palace.

Opportunities for Norwegian businesses

After the castle, the trip continued with a meeting between Norwegian and Indian business leaders.

NHO CEO Ole Erik Almlid says such meetings are important.

– Collaboration between Indian and Norwegian companies will significantly intensify in the future. Last year we concluded a trade agreement with India, which means that we will have a completely different collaboration between Indian and Norwegian companies. This will have major effects in the future.

NHO has signed an agreement with its Indian sister organization. Amlid hopes this can ensure increased cooperation and perhaps ensure that more companies invest even more.

Today, Norway exports between NOK 4 and 5 billion, but Amlid estimates that this figure could increase significantly in the future.

– We see that we are there with minerals, with aluminum, fertilizers. There are a lot of big ones, but there will be more.

He recalls that India is the fifth largest economy in the world and is growing very quickly.

– India will become an economic power and it is therefore important that we have an agreement with it, says the head of the NHO.

Tomorrow, a summit is planned at Oslo City Hall for Modi and heads of government from all Nordic countries.

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