As conflict rages in Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the war while Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged India to talk to Russia for an immediate ceasefire.
This was the main outcome of bilateral talks between Modi and Frederiksen in Copenhagen with both the leaders also reviewing the situation in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region and India-European Union relations.
Incidentally, Modi in his talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday had said “no one will be the victorious party” in this war. His visit to three nations in the region comes at a time when many European nations are against Russian military action, while India, so far, has refrained from criticising Russia. Modi is on a visit to Germany, Denmark and France from Monday.
During his talks with his Danish counterpart, Modi said, “We made an appeal to take the path of dialogues and strategy for an immediate ceasefire and solution to the problem in Ukraine.”
In her remarks after the talks, the Danish Prime Minister said, “Denmark and the entire European Union strongly condemn Russia’s unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. My message is very clear — Putin has to stop this war and end the killings. I hope that India will influence Russia also in this discussion.”
Giving details of the talks, she said the two sides discussed consequences of “horrible crimes committed against civilians and serious humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The reports on killings of civilians in Bucha are deeply shocking. We have condemned these killings and we stress the need for an independent investigation.”
She said India and Denmark share many values. "We are two democratic nations, we both believe in a rule-based international system. In times such as these, we need to build an even stronger bridge between us. As close partners, we also discussed war in Ukraine," Frederiksen said.
On the issues covered during the summit, Modi said it was his first visit to Denmark adding the Danish Prime Minister had come to India last year.
He said both the nations share values of democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law and "together we both have many complementary strengths."
During the India-Denmark Virtual Summit in October 2020, "we gave the status of Green Strategic Partnership to our relations." Modi said. The two Prime Ministers on Tuesday reviewed the joint work-plan of Green Strategic Partnership.
Modi said significant progress has been made in various sectors, especially in the areas of renewable energy, health, ports, shipping, circular economy and water management.
There are more than 200 Danish companies operating in India in various sectors - such as wind power, shipping, consultancy, food processing, engineering. They are getting the benefit of the increasing 'ease of doing business' in India and our macroeconomic reforms. There are many investment opportunities for Danish Companies and Danish Pension Funds in India's infrastructure sector and green industries, he noted.
He also said the two leaders also discussed many regional and global issues including India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. "We hope that the negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be concluded at the earliest, he said.
In the backdrop of China adopting an aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific, Modi said India and Denmark emphasized on ensuring a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
The two leaders discussed cooperation in the field of climate. India is also committed to fulfilling the resolutions taken at Glasgow COP-26. We have agreed to explore more opportunities for cooperation in the Arctic region, the Prime Minister said.
The Danish Prime Minister said the two nations are moving fast in transforming Green Strategic Partnership into some concrete results. The Indian government has high ambitions for the green transition. "I am proud that Danish solutions play a key role in realising these important ambitions," she said.
Earlier, she personally received the Indian Prime Minister at the airport. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) later tweeted the moment with "a special start to a special visit" caption. Modi thanked Frederiksen for the warm welcome on his arrival in Copenhagen.
Modi will attend the 2nd India-Nordic Summit in Copenhagen. The Summit will focus on subjects like post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, innovation and technology, renewable energy, the evolving global security scenario and India-Nordic cooperation in the Arctic region. His counterparts from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark will participate in the conclve.
After concluding his Denmark trip, Modi will make a stopover in Paris to meet newly re-elected president Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.