New Delhi, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : Iceland’s ambassador to India, Benedikt Höskuldsson, expressed strong appreciation for the relationship between Iceland and India during a recent interview. He noted that the ties have significantly strengthened following the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.
Höskuldsson stated that Iceland considers India one of its best friends, highlighting their collaborative presence on multilateral platforms. He remarked on Iceland’s small population, which is under 400,000, but emphasized the country’s open society and desire for friendship through personal interactions. He mentioned the warm hospitality Icelanders receive when visiting India, which further solidifies their bond.
The ambassador also expressed Iceland’s interest in collaborating with India on Arctic research, welcoming India’s active involvement in research in Svalbard. He pointed out the similarities between the Arctic region and India’s Himalayan region, suggesting that joint research efforts could benefit both areas. He stressed the importance of addressing climate change, noting that these regions are among the first to experience its impacts.
Regarding Iceland’s relationship with the European Union, Höskuldsson confirmed that the country has no plans to resume talks about EU membership. He explained that Iceland is already integrated into the European system through the European Economic Area agreement, allowing for free movement of finance and investment.
When discussing the significance of India in the Indo-Pacific region, he stated that India plays a crucial role. Historically, Iceland has maintained strong trade relations with Japan and China, but Höskuldsson believes that the Indian market will increasingly become a central component of Iceland’s activities in Asia.
Reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, Höskuldsson noted the remarkable economic growth India has achieved. He emphasized that he has never seen a country of India’s size advance so rapidly in development and economic terms. He views India’s rising significance in global geopolitics as a positive development.
Höskuldsson also welcomed a recent agreement between Denmark and the United States, which allows for the establishment of additional military bases in Greenland to support Arctic initiatives, reaffirming Iceland’s support for the people of Greenland.
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