New Delhi: Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksson said on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has set ambitious climate targets for renewable energy, is an inspiration to the rest of the world.
The address came as PM Narendra Modi and his Danish counterpart held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House today.
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“You (PM Modi) are an inspiration to the rest of the world as you have set some very ambitious goals for clean water and renewable energy to over one million homes. I am proud that you have accepted my invitation. To visit Denmark,” the Danish PM said after the bilateral meeting, as quoted by news agency ANI.
He said that PM Modi has set very ambitious goals in India. The target of 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030 is considered a challenging target.
Fredrickson said that both democracies believe in an international system based on rules.
The Danish Prime Minister said, “The cooperation between India and Denmark is a great example of how green development and green transition can go hand in hand.”
PM Modi then talked about the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark as a symbol of the far-reaching thinking in both the countries.
“A year ago today, we took the historic decision to establish a Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark at our virtual summit. It is a sign of far-reaching thinking and respect for the environment in both our countries,” PM Modi was quoted as saying by ANI.
“During our virtual summit, we had decided to establish a green strategic partnership between our two countries. Today we reviewed it and reiterated our commitment to it.”
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India-Denmark exchange four agreements
India and Denmark exchanged four agreements on Saturday after the bilateral. The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, Aarhus University, Denmark and the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland on the mapping of groundwater resources and aquifers.
The second agreement was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office on the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Access Agreement.
The third MoU was signed between the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and Danfoss Industries Pvt Ltd to set up a Center of Excellence for Natural Refrigerants for Tropical Climates with Potential Applications.
The fourth agreement was a joint letter of intent between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Visit of Prime Minister of Denmark
Danish PM Mette Fredriksson, who arrived in New Delhi today, is on a three-day visit during which she will meet President Ram Nath Kovind after talks with PM Narendra Modi. She will also interact with think tanks, students and members of civil society.
After the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Danish Prime Minister said that she sees her visit as a milestone in the relationship between the two countries. “We consider India a close partner. I see this visit as a milestone for Denmark-India bilateral relations.”
It is a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Mate Frederickson on his maiden visit to India. Our Green Strategic Partnership focuses on clean technologies and green development. Our cooperation in all fields is vibrant and dynamic. I @Statsmin pic.twitter.com/fgyuoMp8TF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 9, 2021
She said she sees that an ambitious Indian government is taking responsibility for the green transition in India and the rest of the world.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Danish PM’s visit is an opportunity to review and take forward the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership.
India considers Mette Friedrichsen’s visit to be very important as she is the country’s first head of state since the COVID-19 restrictions were imposed last March. Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also visited Denmark earlier this year.
India and Denmark have strong trade and investment ties. More than 200 Danish companies are present in India and more than 60 Indian companies have their presence in Denmark.
(with agency input)
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