India - Denmark Green Strategic Alliance

On 28 September 2020, a virtual summit was held between Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

During the conversation, global issues such as tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, green change were discussed, with the two countries agreeing on common interests for progress in sustainable economies and societies.

India and Denmark will expand shipbuilding services by cooperating in the field of trade and shipping. Apart from this, both countries have also expressed their commitment to cooperation in the fields of Food ?Agriculture? Health and Life Science, as well as to promote cultural cooperation and mutual understanding in labor mobility.

In the field of climate change, both countries have expressed their desire for mutual cooperation within the framework of the Arctic Council which is an important step towards environmental protection and tackling climate change.

India and Denmark have ushered in a new era in the form of 'Green Strategic Alliance' with far-reaching goals. This step can help India find sustainable solutions related to climate change and other global problems.

According to Denmark, the agreement could prove to be a milestone towards closer cooperation in green technology and other areas, such as wind energy, water technology and energy efficiency. There is a great demand for Danish technologies in these areas in India and this agreement could pave the way for export and investment growth from Denmark to India.

The Danish Prime Minister described the agreement as a unique way of providing companies with new opportunities in the market. India has also supported the creation of 'Indo-Danish Skills Institute' to help Danish companies select people, as these companies require local skilled workers.

According to the Foreign Ministry of India, currently more than 140 Danish companies are participating in the 'Make in India' initiative in India.

The Green Strategic Alliance focuses on the implementation of the ambitious 'Paris Agreement' and the 'Sustainable Development Goals' announced by the United Nations, as well as advancing political cooperation, expanding economic relations and green development, job creation and global challenges and opportunities.

Recognizing the importance of establishing a green strategic alliance, the two countries have assured cooperation through the respective ministries, institutions and stakeholders of India and Denmark.

Key areas covered under Green Strategic Alliance

• Energy and Climate Change
• Environment / Water and Cyclical Economy
• Sustainable Urban Development including Smart Cities
• Trade, Business & Shipping
• Science, technology, innovation and digitization
• Food and agriculture
• Health and Life Sciences
• Cultural cooperation, people-to-people contact and labor mobility
• Multilateral cooperation

 Road ahead

A decision to establish a green strategic alliance between Denmark and India will provide a new direction to friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Identifying the ambitious goals and tasks under the areas mentioned above and formulating an action plan will be fully supported to implement them expeditiously.