India and Denmark have announced that they have begun a new era in the form of a “far-reaching Green Strategic Partnership” that will facilitate Denmark in providing sustainable solutions to India.

The Green Strategic Partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement to advance political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs, and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities; with a focus on an aspiring implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The agreement is in line with the vision expressed by Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, who held a virtual summit on September 28, 2020. The two Prime Ministers recognized the importance of instituting the Green Strategic Partnership, under which India and Denmark will collaborate through relevant ministries, institutions, and stakeholders.

This partnership will build on and amalgamate the existing agreement instituting a Joint Commission for Cooperation (signed 6 February 2009) between India and Denmark that envisioned cooperation within the political field; economic and commercial field; science and technology; environment; energy; education and culture.

PM Modi also recommended exploring the opportunity for creating India-Denmark Skill Institute to help Danish companies operating in India to select the people that they require from the local skilled population. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Frederiksen held an in-depth exchange of views in a warm and approachable atmosphere on bilateral relations, discussed the Covid-19 pandemic and global matters of interest to both sides, comprising climate change and a green transition, and reached a common understanding with a view to fast-tracking sustainable economies and societies.

The Ministry of External Affairs said over 140 Danish companies are presently participating in the “Make in India” initiative in India. Prime Minister Modi said they are indeed “making in India for the world”. Both sides also discussed regional and multilateral issues.

Speaking about the Green Strategic Partnership, the Danish Ambassador to India, Freddy Svane expressed, “The Green Strategic Partnership is a vital milestone in the ever closer cooperation between India and Denmark. Both countries are working on a government-to-government level in the strategic sectors of energy, water, and environment, urbanization, and IPR. This new age partnership will not only lead to creating a green and sustainable future but will also boost job creation, innovation and investments.