Danish Prime Minister (PM) Mette Frederiksen called on her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to “influence Russia” to end the Ukraine war during a meeting in Copenhagen on Tuesday. However, a joint statement released after their meeting made it clear that India is continuing its policy of not outright condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Also talked about the war in Ukraine. Made DK and EU’s position clear, and that we would like to see India use its influence with Putin.
— Statsministeriet (@Statsmin) May 3, 2022
In the run-up to the meet, Frederiksen said that as “close partners” that share democratic values, the pair would discuss the war in Ukraine. She once again reiterated the Danish position and “strongly condemned Russia’s unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.” However, the Danish leader refrained from pressing Modi on the issue in light of the two countries’ growing partnership in trade and climate action.
According to a joint statement released following their meeting, the two PMs expressed their “serious concern” about the Ukraine war and “unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine.”
Furthermore, during his press conference, PM Modi once again called for the “adoption of dialogue and diplomacy” to bring an end to the war.
Together, Frederiksen and Modi called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” and stressed the importance of the “[United Nations] Charter, international law and respect for [the] sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states.” They also highlighted the “destabilising effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications” and agreed to work closely on the issue.
This is how the Denmark’s Ambassador @DenmarkinIndia Freddy Svane summed up PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Denmark and possibilities of India-Nordic cooperation. pic.twitter.com/MJZDtpeDHb
— Pranay Upadhyaya (@JournoPranay) May 4, 2022
However, the joint statement was carefully worded to say that Denmark re-emphasised its “strong condemnation” of Russia’s “unlawful and unprovoked aggression” against Ukraine, implying that India did not wish to echo these words.
While India has frequently lamented the casualties and condemned the hostilities, it has refused to outright denounce Russia. Instead, it has called for a return to diplomacy and respect for international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
Grateful to the Indian community in Denmark for their warm reception. Addressing a programme in Copenhagen. https://t.co/PCjwh3ZM9p
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2022
In contrast, Denmark has released several strongly-worded statements against Russia and its military invasion of Ukraine in alignment with its Western and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies.
Apart from the Ukraine conflict, the pair discussed several regional issues, including the instability in the Indo-Pacific. In this regard, Modi underscored the importance of a “free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.” Furthermore, the pair vowed to work to strengthen India-European Union (EU) Partnership.
The leaders also applauded the progress made towards reviving discussions on India-EU trade and the Investment and Geographical Indicators Agreements, which they agreed should be guided by “balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial” discussions.
The green strategic partnership with India accelerates climate transition, especially on energy, and creates promising opportunities for the DK business sector. Today PM Frederiksen and PM Modi spoke with DK company executives who signed a number of corporation agreements.
— Statsministeriet (@Statsmin) May 3, 2022
They celebrated the introduction of the Trade and Technology Council, which was set up during European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to New Delhi in April. Moreover, they agreed to work towards the expedited implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership.
Additionally, the pair agreed to bolster cooperation on multilateral issues of mutual concern, such as the implementation of a rules-based international order and strengthening and reforming the multilateral system, including the United Nations (UN) and in particular the UN Security Council (UNSC).
On this topic, PM Frederiksen “reiterated Denmark’s support for India’s permanent membership” in a reformed UNSC. Along the same lines, PM Modi expressed support for Denmark’s non-permanent membership in the UNSC in 2025-2026.
Away from multilateralism, the two PMs also discussed India and Denmark’s Green Strategic Partnership, which was established during their virtual meeting in October 2021. The partnership outlines how Denmark, the most energy-efficient member of the EU, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will assist India in fulfilling its obligations under various international environmental treaties.
Productive talks with PM Frederiksen, a business summit to discuss economic linkages, a vibrant community programme to further people-to-people linkages and a meeting with Denmark’s Royal Family…here are yesterday’s highlights. @Statsmin pic.twitter.com/PFHOn3Hvd7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2022
During Tuesday’s meeting, the pair praised the progress made in several sectors, specifically renewable energy, health, shipping, and water. They also “shared convergence of interest on the importance of climate action, green growth and energy diversification.” In this regard, they agreed to expand research and development on green hydrogen and green fuels, particularly for transport and industrial processes.
The duo agreed to enhance cooperation in the renewable energy sector and “welcomed the work on a comprehensive Energy Policy Dialogue in India and Denmark,” which they said will boost cooperation in green hydrogen, integration of renewable energy, energy storage, and decarbonisation. They pledged to establish a Ministerial-Level Energy Policy Dialogue to accelerate this process.
They also reviewed progress on issues such as urban and rural water supply, groundwater mapping, wastewater management, river rejuvenation, and digitalisation. In fact, the two leaders expressed confidence about the swift conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Danish Environment Ministry to bolster cooperation on the issue of “safe and secure water.” The deal would include the introduction of initiatives such as a Smart Laboratory on Clean River Water in Varanasi and a Centre of Excellence on Smart Water Resources Management.
India’s Green Strategic Partnership with Denmark is deeply valued. PM Frederiksen and I discussed how we can make this partnership even more effective. We also discussed cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, ports, shipping, water management and more. @Statsmin pic.twitter.com/ukMPYwMIkC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2022
On the issue of climate cooperation, Frederiksen and Modi acknowledged the international commitment made during the COP26 Summit in Glasgow. To this end, they agreed to make sure the Green Strategic Partnership is leveraged to pursue these goals so that both countries can emerge global leaders in green energy transition.
They also sought to enhance cooperation in trade and investment and highlight the need to “maximise the potential of economic ties between the two countries,” noting that bilateral investment and trade ties are critical for diversified, resilient, transparent, open, secure, and predictable global supply chains.
In particular, the two PMs welcomed Danish investment in India, specifically in the renewable energy, water, and engineering sectors. In a similar vein, they welcomed Indian investment in Denmark in the Information Technology sector. In this regard, they said that the establishment of the India Green Finance Initiative would help finance green projects and create jobs.
PM @narendramodi & @Statsmin PM Mette Frederiksen participate in India-Denmark Business Forum with top business leaders from 🇮🇳 & 🇩🇰.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 3, 2022
Enriching conversations on ways to combine Denmark’s skill & India’s scale, especially in areas of clean energy & climate friendly technologies. pic.twitter.com/BXgGF09HVQ
PM Modi revisited this topic during the India-Denmark Business Forum as well, during which he emphasised the “complementary skillsets of the two economies.” During the meet, he called on Danish investors to “take advantage” of the growing opportunities in India.
Frederiksen and Modi agreed to expand their partnership in health as well, particularly in the field of antimicrobial resistance. To this end, the Danish PM accepted India’s invitation to join the Global Digital Health Partnership and cooperate on public health and digital technologies.
Her Majesty, the Queen of the Kingdom of Denmark, Margrethe II extended a warm reception to PM @narendramodi.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 3, 2022
Prime Minister felicitated Her Majesty on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of her reign. pic.twitter.com/7DGqMz0n2j
Finally, the pair signed several agreements on migration and mobility, skill development, vocational education, and entrepreneurship, and animal husbandry and the dairy industry.
Apart from his meeting with PM Frederiksen, PM Modi met with Danish Queen Margrethe II and informed her about the Green Strategic Partnership. He also lauded the role played by the Danish Royal Family on social issues. Thereafter, he held an interaction with the Indian diaspora in Copenhagen, wherein he addressed a crowd of around 1,000 people.
Today, PM @narendramodi will participate in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit being hosted by Denmark.
— Indian Diplomacy (@IndianDiplomacy) May 4, 2022
On the sidelines of the Summit,
PM Modi will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Finland, Iceland, Norway & Sweden. pic.twitter.com/jtRc5VViol
Modi’s meeting with Frederiksen marked the second leg of his Europe trip, during which he has already met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. During his time in Copenhagen, the PM will also attend the Second India-Nordic Summit. Later, he will visit Paris and meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was recently re-elected for a second term.