Government launches strategy for cooperation with India

The Government’s India strategy was launched on 28 August. It reflects Norway’s increased focus on India.

 

A new world order?

Asia is becoming increasingly important in global politics and the global economy. The Government intends to develop strong economic and political ties to the new Asia with a view to ensuring that Norway can protect its interests in the best possible way. Its new India strategy is step in this direction. The Government launched its China strategy earlier.

Strengthened political dialogue

The objective of the strategy is to strengthen the political dialogue and cooperation on international policy issues, including security and defence policy.  Norway also wishes to cooperate with India in the efforts to  promote a rules-based world order with multilateral organisations that are more effective and representative, and have greater legitimacy.

Common destiny

The impacts of climate change may constitute the greatest challenge of our time. The strategy sets out high ambitions for cooperation involving the authorities, the private sector and research institutes on efforts to address climate change, and environmental and clean energy issues. 

New research programme

India is becoming a major knowledge nation, and it is important that Norway pursues a knowledge-based policy towards India. The Government has therefore established a  research programme under the Research Council of Norway to promote Norwegian research on India, and research cooperation between Norway and India.

The Norwegian business sector and India

In its strategy, the Government emphasises the importance of further increasing private sector cooperation, trade and investments. The Government will seek to ensure the best possible framework conditions and the greatest possible predictability for the Norwegian business sector. A trade agreement is being negotiated between the EFTA countries and India, and a bilateral taxation agreement between Norway and India is expected to be ratified shortly. Greater attention is to be drawn to the Government Pension Fund – Global’s investments in India.

Social development

India is the world’s largest democracy, and Norway will cooperate with India on the further development of democracy, human rights, gender equality and efforts to prevent all forms of discrimination. The Government will also promote closer cooperation between companies and private sector organisations on corporate social responsibility.

Health and development

Engagement in relation to global health issues is an important part of Norwegian foreign policy. The Government has established the Norway-India Partnership Initiative on reducing child and maternal mortality, as part of the efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. We will further develop this cooperation with India with a view to helping the country achieve its development goals.

Culture and dialogue

Cultural cooperation creates important meeting places for dialogue. Norway will seek to promote Norwegian art and culture in India.