How is Norway Supporting India's Position on Jammu & Kashmir?

Monaco, June 8 (NationPress) Norway's Minister of International Development, Asmund Grover Aukrust, during a gathering with India's Minister for Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh aboard the historic vessel "Statsraad Lehmkuhl" in Monaco, expressed his nation's solidarity with India amidst recent events in Jammu & Kashmir.

Dr Jitendra Singh acknowledged Norway's backing, to which Aukrust responded by expressing enthusiasm for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit to Norway.

Norway has clearly shown its support for India following the latest developments. The Norwegian Minister noted that there is a strong public sentiment in Norway favoring India, with many citizens eager to welcome Prime Minister Modi to their nation.

This gesture symbolizes a growing solidarity and mutual respect between the two countries. Dr Jitendra Singh expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the Norwegian leadership and populace for India’s global endeavors.

Upon his arrival at Quai Port Hercule in Monaco, Dr Jitendra Singh received a warm welcome from Director Trond Gabrielsen and Senior Adviser Eivind S. Homme from Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As he stepped aboard the historic research ship "Statsraad Lehmkuhl", he was greeted by Aukrust and the ship’s captain, signaling a friendly commencement of their bilateral discussions.

This bilateral engagement builds upon the collaborative agreement regarding ocean management established by the Prime Ministers of India and Norway back in 2019. Since then, both nations have been working together on marine spatial planning as a fundamental element of the Blue Economy. During their meeting, the Ministers explored ways to enhance this collaboration, sharing their expertise in ocean management with other nations, particularly island nations vulnerable to climate change.

Both Ministers reaffirmed their dedication to fortifying bilateral relations in ocean governance and marine spatial planning, which are essential for the sustainable utilization of ocean resources globally. Their discussions also encompassed improving collaboration in Arctic research, polar science missions, and sharing best practices on coastal resilience and maritime data.

While aboard the century-old sailing vessel, a symbol of ocean education and sustainability under the "One Ocean Expedition", Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized India’s determination to utilize science and technology to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those concerning life below water. He reiterated India’s openness to collaborating closely with Norway and other like-minded countries in building climate-resilient blue economies.

Aukrust appreciated India’s proactive stance in regional and global marine conservation initiatives and welcomed the prospect of deeper collaboration in research and innovation, particularly employing digital tools for marine planning and monitoring.

This bilateral meeting set the stage for a larger marine spatial planning side event, where both leaders are set to join other global stakeholders in sharing their national experiences and commitments to marine spatial planning. As nations increasingly explore ocean-based solutions for sustainable growth, the India-Norway engagement signifies a shared recognition of science diplomacy as a crucial bridge between environmental stewardship and development needs.