Oct 13: The Sixth Session of the India-Norway Joint Commission was held on a virtual platform on October 13, 2020. The Norwegian delegation was led by H.E. Ms. Ine Eriksen Søreide, Foreign Minister of Norway, and the Indian delegation was led by H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India.
The two Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over significant progress. They noted that the visit of Prime Minister Erna Solberg to New Delhi in January 2019 laid down a blueprint for a comprehensive partnership between India and Norway.
Noting that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had posed significant challenges to nations across the world, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to cooperate closely in combating the pandemic. Both ministers welcomed the establishment of the global facility COVAX and the work to secure fair global access to vaccines. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the bilateral cooperation on maternal and child health.
The Ministers agreed that the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis provides the opportunity to build more sustainable economies.
Both sides noted with satisfaction the Dialogue on Trade and Investment (DTI) which gave impetus to business cooperation and participation of Norwegian companies in the flagship programs of India. The first meeting of DTI held in January 2020 in New Delhi identified areas of cooperation to include maritime, fisheries, tourism, skill development, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME), and renewable energy among others areas.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expand the bilateral trade in order to realize the untapped potential in the commercial and economic relationship. The two Ministers expressed their hope for an early conclusion of the India and EFTA trade negotiations.
Both sides noted with satisfaction the significant progress made in the Ocean Dialogue and the initiatives undertaken by the Task Force on Blue Economy for Sustainable Development to synergize potentials both in India and Norway, particularly in areas such as fisheries, aquaculture, green technologies for maritime use, construction of vessels, ship recycling and green ports. Both sides emphasized the cohesive action undertaken in areas of marine pollution, integrated ocean management and research, and marine spatial planning. The ministers underscored the potential for cooperation on the blue economy to help protect the oceans while creating sustainable growth and jobs.
Both sides noted the activities undertaken under the Joint Working Groups (JWG) on Maritime, Marine, Hydrocarbons, Environment, Science and Technology, and Higher Education. Both Ministers underlined the significance of the JWGs giving impetus and direction to the cooperation between the two countries, in particular, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, combat climate change and move towards a greener economy.
Both Ministers emphasized the central role of the UN in maintaining global peace and security. Now that India and Norway are incoming elected members of the United Nations Security Council, both sides agreed to engage in regular consultations at senior officials level on Security Council issues during the membership period 2021-22.
The two sides exchanged views on regional, multilateral and global issues of interest.
Both sides decided to hold the next round of Joint Commission Meeting in Oslo at a mutually convenient date.
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