Minister of External Affairs of India visits Norway

Natwar Singh, the Minister of External Affairs of India, is visitingNorwayon 16-17 June. The visit will be hosted by the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jan Petersen.

India’s political and economic significance is growing both in the region and at the global level, and Norway wishes to strengthen its bilateral co-operation with the country. The first meeting of the Joint Commission of Co-operation between Norway and India will be held during this visit. The objective of the Commission is to strengthen the co-operation between Norway and India at the political and the economic level, as well as in the fields of trade, energy, environment, science, technology, education and culture. The agreement to set up the Commission was signed in July 2004 during Mr Petersen’s visit to India.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has drawn up an action plan for Norway’s cooperation and policy towards India in connection with the work of the Commission.

In addition to the Joint Commission meeting, Mr Singh will also have an audience with the King and will have talks with Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Børge Brende.

Mr Petersen and Mr Singh will be available to the press on June 17 at 14.30 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, main entrance (Nordkvartalet), ground floor.

Contact person: Information Adviser Cathrine Andersen, tel. 911 36 410