India Denmark Cooperation

• During the "India-Denmark: Partners for Green and Sustainable Development Conference" in New Delhi, the Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change said that India and Denmark can work together to show that reaching ambitious climate and sustainable energy targets is possible.
• Since the Green Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, the bilateral collaboration has been geared towards advancing environmentally friendly and sustainable development.

About the previous visit:

• In order to put their ambitious "green strategic relationship" into action, India and Denmark have come to an agreement on a five-year action plan.
• Following a decade-long thaw in bilateral relations, this was both the first summit-level visit to India following the COVID pandemic and the first State visit by a Danish leader.
• India and Denmark signed two agreements on climate change research, and Reliance Industries and the Danish company Stiesdal Fuel Technologies signed another Memorandum of Understanding on the building of a "green hydrogen" electrolyser facility.

What is The Green Strategic Partnership?

• With a focus on an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Green Strategic Partnership is a win-win agreement to advance political cooperation, broaden economic relations and green growth, create jobs, and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities.
• Danish businesses have offered to assist India in achieving its air pollution management goals, particularly in the crucial area of addressing the issue of burning crop stubble.
• Dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic and collaboration in water efficiency and water loss are two other important facets of the alliance.
• It has been suggested to establish India-Denmark energy parks in regions with a high concentration of Danish businesses as well as an India-Denmark skill centre to train Indian labour.
• The Joint Commission for Cooperation and current joint working groups will serve as the foundation for the Green Strategic Partnership.???????

Historical perspective:

• The two countries made their initial encounter in the 17th century when a Danish colony was founded at Tranquebar, which is today part of Tamil Nadu.
• From Serampore in West Bengal, the Danish established other trading posts in different regions of India. Another Danish colony was in the Nicobar Islands.
• The British purchased every Danish colony in 1845, including the Nicobar Islands in 1868.
• Following independence, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's 1957 trip to Denmark lay the groundwork for cordial ties between India and that country.
• The non-extradition of Niels Holck Nielsen, a Danish national involved in the Purulia Weapons Dropping Case in 1995, negatively impacted relations in 2011.

Cultural affinities:

• India's 75th Independence Day was enthusiastically observed in Copenhagen with a flag-raising ceremony and lively Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations that were well-attended by members of the diaspora.
• The Danish Sports Yoga Federation, Art of Living, and Brahma Kumaris are just a few of the groups that take part in the Embassy's annual celebration of the International Day of Yoga throughout Denmark.
• At more than 20 educational institutions, including Copenhagen and Roskilde Universities, Kold College, IBC Kolding, Zealand Business College, and schools, the Embassy organised various events, including talks on Gandhiji and tree-planting ceremonies as part of the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.

Latest developments in India-Denmark relations:

• The two nations' new Green Strategic Partnership with India is fostering the development of a more enduring friendship.
• The agreement was announced to increase collaboration in the areas of science and technology, trade, environmental regulation, and renewable energy.
• As part of a five-year Joint Action Plan, both nations have decided to sign four government-to-government agreements, expand current collaborations into the health and agricultural sectors, and further cooperation in the fields of water, science, and technology.

Commercial and Economic Relations:

• From USD 2.8 billion in 2016 to USD 5 billion in 2021, bilateral commerce in products and services between India and Denmark increased by 78%.
• The main exports from India to Denmark include textiles, things connected to clothing and yarn, automobiles and parts, metal products, iron and steel, footwear, and travel-related items.
• Power generation equipment, industrial machinery, metal scrap and ore, organic chemicals, and pharmaceuticals and medical supplies are the main Danish exports to India.

Cooperation in Intellectual Property:

• The 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to strengthen IP cooperation between the two nations through information sharing and the sharing of best practises on how to handle applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and Geographical Indications, as well as cooperation in the area of protecting Traditional Knowledge.
• It will further the goals of the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, 2016, and be a significant milestone in India's quest to becoming a key leader in global innovation.

Way forward

• For India and the region, the relationship has the potential to be revolutionary.
• India now only has a Green Strategic Partnership with Denmark, but this important step towards sustainable development is essential since it may enable India to reach similar agreements with additional partners in the area and beyond.