Vowing to step up cooperation, India and Norway collaborate on blue economy and combating terrorism

New Delhi, January 9: Emancipating wide spectrum of areas of discussion, India and Norway on Tuesday agreed to closely collaborate on ocean economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while also vowing to step up cooperation in combating terrorism, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg.

Modi and Solberg held delegation-level talks and discussed ways to give "new energy and direction" to bilateral ties. The two countries also signed MoU for holding an India-Norway Ocean Dialogue and decided to establish a joint task force on blue economy. India and Norway have strong cooperation at the international level and both the countries coordinate closely on issues such as UN Security Council reforms, multi-lateral export control regimes and terrorism.

 

In a joint statement the two sides stressed the need for reform of the UN, including of the UN Security Council, and its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent seats to make it more representative, accountable, effective and responsive to the realities of the 21st century. Norway agreed that India is a strong candidate for a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council expanded with both permanent and non-permanent members.

Norway also supported India's application for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and reaffirmed its commitment to work constructively within the elite nuclear trading group with the aim of reaching a positive outcome regarding Indian membership at the earliest opportunity.

During the talks, the two sides strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations, and agreed to cooperate in combating international terrorism. They also urged the international community to work towards early finalisation of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism mooted by India at the UN, the statement said.

Solberg, in her press statement, said given the importance of India's economy and the size of its population, the world will not be able to reach the sustainable goals unless "India is on board". Talking about the Sustainable Development Goals, PM Modi said they were completely in consonance with India's development goals. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals set by the United Nations in areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption and peace and justice.