Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that she had addressed the situation in Ukraine with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the “consequences of the heinous atrocities done against people,” and that she “hoped” that “India will encourage Russia” to stop the conflict.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, this has been one of the most explicit expectations expressed by any European leader in the previous two months.
She condemned Russia’s “illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” and said her message to Russian President Vladimir Putin was “clear”: “stop this war” and “stop the bloodshed.”
Modi, who stood beside her as they issued statements following their bilateral meeting, said they discussed Ukraine and called for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, reiterating New Delhi’s position, which was expressed at the United Nations and in Berlin on Monday in the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The Prime Ministers will meet again on Wednesday for the India-Nordic summit, which will feature representatives from Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Iceland. After the first summit in 2018, this will be the second.
“We share many ideals,” Frederiksen remarked. We are two democracies in one country. We both believe in an international system founded on rules. And in these trying times, we need to strengthen our bonds as close partners even more. Of course, we talked about the war in Ukraine.”
“We spoke about the ramifications of the heinous atrocities against people and the acute humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine. The tales of citizens being killed in Bucha are alarming. We have strongly denounced the deaths and called for an impartial inquiry. The illegal and aggressive invasion of Ukraine by Russia was severely criticised by Denmark and the European Union.”
“My message is clear: Putin must put an end to the conflict and the bloodshed.” “Of course, I hope that India would have an impact on Russia in this debate,” she remarked.
“Today we addressed India-EU ties, the Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine, as well as other regional and global concerns,” Modi stated, without mentioning Russia. We demanded an immediate halt to the fighting… The approach to resolving the dispute is diplomacy and conversation.”
“The Danish Prime Minister repeated Denmark’s strong condemnation of Russian Forces’ illegitimate and aggressive attack against Ukraine,” the joint statement said, echoing Germany’s position.
“Both Prime Ministers voiced grave concern about Ukraine’s continued humanitarian tragedy.” They have categorically denounced the murders of civilians in Ukraine. They emphasised the importance of a quick halt to hostilities. They emphasised that the current global order is based on the United Nations Charter, international law, and respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. They examined the crisis in Ukraine’s destabilising effects as well as the conflict’s larger regional and global ramifications. Both parties agreed to keep a careful eye on the situation.”
The two countries build on their Green Strategic Partnership, which was created during a virtual summit between the two Prime Ministers in September 2020. They discussed progress achieved since Frederiksen’s October 2021 visit to India, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, health, shipping, and water.
They talked about their collaboration in the renewable energy sector and applauded India and Denmark’s work on a comprehensive Energy Policy Dialogue.
“Today, we have agreed on a number of tangible initiatives – green energy to water and countering the next global health catastrophe, to name a few examples,” Frederiksen added. Hopefully, the two of us can set an example by demonstrating that green growth and economic growth can coexist. And I am confident that India and Denmark have significant untapped trade and investment possibilities.”
Modi expressed optimism that the India-EU free trade deal discussions will be completed shortly.
The two PMs “noted with pleasure the progress made in partnership in the domains of urban and rural water supply, groundwater mapping, wastewater management, river rejuvenation, and digitalisation,” according to the joint statement.
According to the statement, they “looked forward to the early signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Danish Environment Ministry as a broad-based framework to enhance existing cooperation and to launch new initiatives, including a Smart Laboratory on Clean River Water in Varanasi and a Centre of Excellence on Smart Water Resources Management.”
They also signed a letter of intent to establish a Green Shipping Center of Excellence, which is anticipated to boost bilateral marine cooperation. “The two presidents also agreed to strengthen agricultural cooperation through a Joint Declaration of Intent that includes, among other things, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Dairy,” according to the statement.
With a “Letter of Intent on Movement and Mobility with a view to encourage safe, orderly, and regular migration,” the PMs committed to increase people-to-people relations, according to the report.
The two sides inked nine agreements covering a variety of topics, including skills development, migration and mobility, culture, water, start-ups, and energy policy.
