On 9th October 2021, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who was on a three-day visit to India, talked about a green strategic partnership, climate change and a wide range of issues. During the meeting, both the countries agreed on a five-year action plan to take forward their unique “green strategic partnership” and also signed four agreements that aim at boosting cooperation in green technologies and management of natural resources such as groundwater. The partnership is based on a common goal of a better and safer environment for not only the present but future generations as well. The action plan which will date between 2021-26 aims to lower the carbon growth and focus on sectors like water, renewable energy, climate action, circular economy, sustainable and smart cities, cooperation in intellectual property rights; maritime cooperation, food and agriculture and health and life science.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi stated that “The partnership is an example of how by collective effort, through technology, one can work for green growth while preserving the environment. Today, we not only reviewed the progress made under this partnership but reiterated our commitment to increasing cooperation on climate change shortly.”
The four agreements signed include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the National Geophysical Research Institute in Hyderabad, and Aarhus University the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland who will work on mapping groundwater resources. The Indian Institute of Science-Bengaluru and Denmark’s Danfoss Industries Private Limited signed an MoU to establish a centre of excellence on natural refrigerants for tropical climates. Further, the digital library access agreement was signed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, the side of the skill development ministry and the Danish government signed a joint letter of intent to explore collaboration in skill development.
Denmark has great skills in the field of green technologies whereas India can use its more than billion populations. These both can be used together as an advantage to bring cooperation for green growth and transition. Both the countries have also decided to cooperate in smart water resource management. Further, Prime Minister Modi has welcomed Denmark’s decision to join International Solar Alliance and thanked the country for supporting India on various international platforms. He also briefed Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the situation in Afghanistan as both countries share the same views on the protection of human rights, including women and minorities, the need to allow people to move freely and to leave the country, the importance of an inclusive government and to prevent terrorism.
