Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide praised India as a crucial partner for Norway and lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the country as highly successful. Eide emphasized the significance of the strong partnership between Norway and India, highlighting India’s upcoming status as the world’s third-largest economy.
PM Modi’s two-day visit to Norway included discussions with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and participation in the India-Norway Business and Research Summit. During the visit, PM Modi was honored with Norway’s highest accolade, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, by King Harald V.
Expressing admiration for India’s approach to global challenges, the Norwegian Foreign Minister commended India’s role in shaping the future of the world. Eide underscored the importance of collaboration with India in adapting to the evolving global landscape.
In response to queries regarding the Nobel Peace Prize, Eide clarified that the Norwegian government does not influence the selection process, which is conducted independently by a dedicated committee. He refrained from commenting on specific candidates but acknowledged India’s progress in addressing complex global issues and emphasized the country’s growing responsibilities on the world stage.
Reflecting on his conversation with PM Modi, Eide shared anecdotes from his first visit to India, including a memorable journey on a steam-engine train from Delhi to Varanasi. Regarding PM Modi’s global leadership, Eide recognized the Prime Minister’s popularity in India, his re-election, and his positive impact on raising awareness of India’s significance internationally.
