Oslo, May 19: Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit has significantly strengthened the relationship between India and Norway. Under the ‘Green Strategic Partnership,’ both nations are advancing cooperation in areas such as clean energy, sustainable development, blue economy, and green shipping.
During a media discussion, Prime Minister Støre emphasized the complementarity of both economies. He highlighted India’s rapidly growing, knowledge-based economy and its youthful population as strong foundations for collaboration. The ‘Green Strategic Partnership’ aims to expand cooperation in clean energy, sustainable development, blue economy, and green shipping.
Støre remarked, “When we made this agreement, we asked ourselves how we could ensure its fulfillment. The best way to understand this is to look at trends. India’s economy is growing rapidly and becoming increasingly knowledge-based. With a young and dynamic population, we believe we can achieve our goals based on these trends and the complementarity of our economies.”
Addressing the issue of terrorism, PM Støre stressed the need for a robust stance against all forms of terrorism. He recalled Norway’s own painful experiences with terrorism 15 years ago, when government buildings were targeted in an attack. Countries that have faced such experiences understand the pain involved. He expressed solidarity with nations and people affected by terrorism.
Regarding Russian crude oil, Støre acknowledged Norway’s historical ties and emphasized respect for India’s energy supply needs. He also stated that more pressure should be applied on Russia to end the ongoing horrific war in Ukraine, urging them to engage seriously in peace talks. This conflict has caused loss of life, devastation, and instability.
The Prime Minister also discussed the Arctic, noting its vastness. He mentioned that cooperation within the Arctic Council has been affected due to Russia’s full-scale war in Europe, which has imposed limitations on the council’s operations. He expressed a desire for India to participate in Arctic climate research, leveraging its growing scientific capabilities, which is also crucial for India’s climate.
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