India, Norway ink MoU to boost blue economy.

The two sides discussed cooperation in the areas of security, counter-terrorism, higher education, research and innovation, energy, ICT, climate and environment, maritime sector, fisheries and aquaculture.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Norway lauded India for respecting maritime boundaries and Law of the Sea

• MoU signed for increasing cooperation in ocean-based industries

• PM Modi thanked Norway for supporting India's membership for Missile Technology Control Regime

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with his Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, and on the ways and means to further strengthen the growing bilateral partnership.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who is on a three-day visit to India, delivered the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

"The two sides expressed the desire to maintain high-level exchanges and enhancing cooperation through the existing mechanisms of bilateral interaction", said the India-Norway joint statement.

Addressing the press after the meeting Prime Minister Modi said, "India and Norway have close and strong cooperation in the global stage. Both work closely and coordinate on key issues such as UNSC reforms, Multilateral Export Control Regime and terrorism."

The two sides signed a MoU on India-Norway Ocean Dialogue and the establishment of the Joint Task Force on 'Blue Economy' under aegis of the MoU, in order to promote multi-sectoral cooperation in various aspects of Blue Economy.

Emphasising on Blue Economy, the Norwegian PM during her address at the Raisina Dialogue said, "Prime Minister Modi has presented a vision of sustainability and growth for all people in the region. One of the goals of my government's ocean strategy is to promote sustainable value creation and employment in the ocean-based industries."

Talking about rules-based order and the increased maritime aggression by some countries, alluding to China, Solberg said, "We commend India for respecting the rulings of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the question of disputed maritime areas. When large countries respect international law, smaller countries take note. The principle 'might is right' cannot be used as a basis for governing our oceans, or anything else, for that matter."

The two leaders also recognised that all countries benefit from open and predictable trade rules.

"We cannot afford to let protectionism, discrimination and economic rivalries define our future. Norway and India both benefit fit from rules-based international trade. Free trade creates winners. Protectionism does not", said the Norwegian PM.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in the areas of security, counter-terrorism, higher education, research and innovation, energy, ICT, climate and environment, maritime sector, fisheries and aquaculture.

India expressed its appreciation for Norway's support towards India's accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and the Australia Group (AG).

"Norway supported India's application for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group and reaffirmed its commitment to work constructively within the Group with the aim of reaching a positive outcome regarding Indian membership at the earliest opportunity," said the joint statement.

The Norwegian PM also quoted Mahatma Gandhi while speaking of sustainable development in these changing times. "To paraphrase the great Mahatma Gandhi: there is still enough for everyone's need, but still not enough for everyone's greed," she said. (Source:India Today)