Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen soon after his arrival in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Tuesday, 3 May. He later addressed the business community in Denmark, and said that those who didn't invest in India might have 'FOMO' or the 'Fear of Missing Out.'
At the India-Denmark Business Roundtable, PM Modi interacted with business leaders and stated, "These days, the term FOMO or ‘fear of missing out’ is gaining traction on social media. Looking at India’s reforms and investment opportunities, I can say that those who don’t invest in our nation will certainly miss out."
Commenting on PM Modi's 'FOMO' statement, his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen said, "I always thought FOMO was about Friday nights or parties but I realise that it’s about India!"
PM Modi arrived in Copenhagen earlier on Tuesday and was received at the airport by Frederiksen. He was then taken on a tour of the Danish PM's home, after which the two leaders held a meeting with their respective delegations.
PM Modi's Talks With Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen
At a joint press conference after the delegation-level meeting between the Indian and the Danish PMs, Prime Minister Frederiksen said, "Denmark and India are moving fast in transforming our Green Strategic Partnership into some 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."
"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. As close partners, we also discussed the war in Ukraine," she stated, adding that the two countries had condemned the massacre in Ukraine's Bucha.
PM Modi, who is on the second leg of his visit to three European nations (Germany, Denmark, and France), said he discussed regional and global issues including India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific, and Ukraine, with his Danish counterpart.
At the joint press conference, Modi said, "We emphasised ensuring a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region." The prime minister also added that there were huge investment opportunities for Danish companies and Danish Pension Funds in India's infrastructure sector and green industries. On the transition to green energy, Modi said,
"I'm happy that renewable energy has been beneficial in different aspects of trade such as ports, shipping, circular economy, and water management."
He added that over 200 Danish companies were currently working in different sectors in India, such as consultancy, food processing, and engineering, and benefiting from India's reforms.
"They are getting the benefit of increasing ease of doing business in India and our macroeconomic reforms," said Modi.
Regarding the situation in Ukraine, PM Modi appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the problem and urged both Russia and Ukraine to have peaceful negotiations.
PM Modi Greets Indian Diaspora in Denmark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indian community in Denmark on Tuesday, after participating in the India-Denmark Business Forum.
He applauded Indians for their contribution and said, "Many times when I meet world leaders, they proudly tell me about the achievements of the Indian community settled in their countries."
Modi said that cultural diversity is Indians' strength irrespective of the different languages, food, and taste. He said:
"Whatever be the language, but we all have Indian culture. Our food plate changes, our taste changes. But the Indian way of repeatedly pleading with affection does not change. We stand together for the defense of the nation, join hands in nation building."
Earlier, at the conference with business leaders, Modi said:
He said, "The business worlds of India and Denmark have often worked together in the past. The strengths of our nations complement each other."
"There is great scope of investing in green technology. Things like cold chains, shipping and ports also offer opportunities. India is working on PM-Gati Shakti for next generation Infra"Prime Minister Narendra Modi
PM Modi Takes Tour of Frederiksen's Home
The PM, who is in Denmark to participate in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit, was taken on a tour of PM Frederiksen's house upon his arrival in Denmark.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said that Prime Minister Modi was greeted by an 'enthusiastic' band playing Indian music at the airport.
He added that Modi was scheduled to meet with the business community at the India-Denmark Business Roundtable, the Indian diaspora, and later, Queen Margaret of Denmark.
According to the statement by Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi, during his visit to Denmark, will take part in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit on Wednesday along with the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, where the global leaders will take stock of mutual cooperation since the 1st India-Nordic Summit in 2018.
The summit will focus on topics such as post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, innovation and technology, renewable energy, the evolving global security scenario, and India-Nordic cooperation in the Arctic region.
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