India inks 1st green pact with Denmark

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 28

India and Denmark on Monday decided to elevate their bilateral ties to a “green strategic partnership”, the first of its kind, during a virtual summit between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mette Frederiksen.

Niche pollution control solutions being offered by Denmark include those to curb stubble burning. “Danish companies are already talking to Indian companies to take it forward,” said MEA’s Joint Secretary (Central Europe).

PM Modi in his address indicated that Indian expectations from Denmark went well beyond pollution control initiatives and partnerships. Mentioning the extensive reforms in the manufacturing, labour, regulatory and taxation sectors, he recalled Denmark’s constant attendance at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit since 2009 and cautioned against the risks of overdependence on a single source.

The Covid-19 pandemic showed the risk involved in excessive dependence of the global supply chain on any single source. —Narendra Modi, PM

The PM then spoke of virtual conferences with India, Japan, Australia and France to diversify supply chains and invited other like-minded democracies to join this endeavour.

PM Modi observed that India and Denmark could set up energy parks where a large number of Danish companies were present. India had recently intensified its conversation with Denmark and the groundwork for this summit was laid during talks between the two Foreign Ministers in January, followed up with more online interactions.

India & Denmark have agreed to collaborate in several sectors on basis of an action plan that will set targets for next few years. —Mette Frederiksen, Denmark PM

Besides tapping Denmark for technology and manufacturing, another reason for India’s attempt to build closer ties is strategic. Denmark is a leading player in the group of five Nordic countries — Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland — which, like Russia, are interested in the opportunities in the Arctic Sea.

Denmark is the only Nordic country that has made a maritime foray in the Straits of Hormuz along with seven other countries with active assistance from the UAE with which India enjoys close ties.