So India and Norway are entering a new phase of partnership, a season of trust, innovation, and cooperation. Mr Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of Norway, said in a statement that discussions underscored the strong prospect of cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Støre added that Norway is excited for the visit later this year by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He added with confidence that this visit would continue to promote cooperation and deepen relations.
Prime Minister Støre hailed India’s momentum to reform the nation and argued that the country’s economic and social metamorphosis is creating new opportunities for global partnerships. He praised the importance of the Indian diaspora in Norway and their contribution to cultural exchange, business and community development. Such a gratitude embodies the people-to-people connections that underlie everything we do between India and Norway.
The meeting covered some areas where India-Norway can cooperate:
- Fisheries and Maritime: Norway’s focus on sustainable fishing and maritime technology in particular could help grow the Indian economy with its growing blue economy.
- Health Tech: Both countries look forward to the technology and innovation revolutionizing their healthcare solutions.
- Space Cooperation: India’s great space programme, paired with Norway’s satellite applications have a promising area toward creating a transformative potential.
They touched on everything from high tech manufacturing to carbon capture and storage, start-ups, semiconductors, renewable energy and waste management. This is the future of sustainable growth and innovation; when both countries share knowledge and investment in a mutually-beneficial way.
Another hot topic was a discussion in which the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) were operationalised. There are frameworks to promote trade, eliminate trade impediments, and facilitate business easier in the two countries. It's by pinning down the main areas of engagement under these agreements that India and Norway are preparing themselves for wider economic integration.
The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Norway will see a new phase in relations with a host of important players, including Norway. India and Norway can establish a joint venture, for which both sides share priorities on sustainability, technology and innovation, from a standpoint of both citizens' interests towards progress in a partnership. The success in the Oslo meeting has been remarkable and there is a good reason for optimism.
