New Delhi: India wants an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Denmark Tuesday, while his counterpart Mette Frederiksen hoped the country would influence Russia to end the war.
Modi reiterated India’s long-held stance that Russia and Ukraine must follow the path of “dialogue and diplomacy” to resolve the crisis.
Modi met Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Tuesday – the second day of this whistle-stop Europe tour. He met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin Monday and will conclude his trip tomorrow after a chat with freshly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.
Frederiksen said the two discussed consequences of horrible crimes committed against civilians and the serious humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. “The reports on killings of civilians in Bucha are deeply shocking. We have condemned these killings and we stress the need for an independent investigation,” she said.
She said Denmark and the entire European Union strongly condemned Russia’s “unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine”. “My message is very clear — Putin has to stop this war and end the killings. I hope that India will influence Russia in this discussion.”
On the business front, the two leaders reviewed the joint work plan of the “green strategic partnership” – a term given to their relationship during the India-Denmark virtual summit in October 2020.
Modi said: “I am delighted that in various areas, especially in renewable energy, health, ports, shipping, circular economy and water management, there have been important developments.”
The Prime Minister added: “More than 200 Danish companies are working in different sectors in India. These companies are benefiting from increased ease of doing business and economic reforms in India.”
He also hoped negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement would conclude soon.
On her part, Frederiksen said: “We share many values. We are two democratic nations. We both believe in a rule-based international system. In times such as these, we need to build an even stronger bridge between us.”
She said: “Denmark and India are moving fast in transforming our green strategic partnership into concrete results. The Indian government has high ambitions for the green transition. I am proud that Danish solutions play a key role in realising these important ambitions.”
Frederiksen looked forward to continuing discussions Wednesday when Modi will meet leaders of other Nordic countries for the Indo-Nordic Summit, 2022.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said there were delegation-level discussions on wide-ranging cooperation in areas like skill development, climate and renewable energy, among others.
Soon after he landed in Copenhagen, the Prime Minister was given a tour by Frederiksen of her home.
Also read: ‘Nobody can be victorious in Ukraine conflict,’ says Narendra Modi in Germany