Norway's Minister of International Development has praised India's rapid digitisation as an "international leadership" example, highlighting how the two countries can learn from each other in a new strategic partnership. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a visit, the first visit by an Indian PM in more than four decades. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Åsmund Grøver Aukrust welcomed the signing of a Green Strategic Partnership agreement focused on green transition and digital public goods.&nbsp;"India was the first receiver of Norwegian development assistance in the 1950s. Today they are a main partner for us," the minister said, pointing to the evolution of bilateral ties. "We are very glad to have this partnership, especially on wind transition, when it comes to the digital public partnership."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-norway-green-partnership-to-drive-sustainable-growth-says-fm-eide-1779177786491">India-Norway Green Partnership to drive sustainable growth, says FM Eide</a>&nbsp;Aukrust was particularly effusive about India's digital achievements. In Delhi, he witnessed a cashless revolution where citizens routinely make payments using mobile phones. "That was very fascinating. I was there two years ago, and already there had been an enormous change when it comes to digitalisation," he recalled.&nbsp;"I know there's a lot been happening for the last two years, so India is a real international leader, and we want to work together with you." The minister explained the joint work on digital identity as a major success. "India and Norway [are] doing together when it comes to digital ID, which has given more than 100 million people their ID in a digital way, and I mean this is a real milestone," he said.&nbsp;"We have a lot to learn from each other, and to really inspire each other, and to share experience." India's ambitious digital public infrastructure, enabling everything from instant payments to paperless services for its vast population, has impressed global observers. In many parts of Delhi, wallets have become almost redundant, a transformation Aukrust described as striking.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-ebola-symptoms-congo-outbreak-us-travel-measures-and-trump-s-remarks-1779157344474">What is Ebola? Symptoms, Congo outbreak, US travel measures and Trump’s remarks</a>&nbsp;The partnership extends beyond bilateral ties. Both countries are exploring "third country" cooperation, particularly in the Global South. "This is what we need in more international development policy, is to also work in third countries with real partnership," Aukrust said. "We look forward to continue to work with India as well with other third countries in the global south."&nbsp;Norway maintains one of the world's most generous aid programmes, allocating one per cent of its national income to development assistance. Aukrust said he would brief fellow ministers in London on the outcomes of the India-Norway meetings. The minister expressed eagerness to return to India soon. "Sometimes we also might inspire you, and definitely the opposite as well," he added.

Norway's development minister praised India's digital leadership during PM Modi’s visit, highlighting a new Green Strategic Partnership focused on the green transition, digital public goods, and Global South cooperation.

Norway's Minister of International Development has praised India's rapid digitisation as an "international leadership" example, highlighting how the two countries can learn from each other in a new strategic partnership. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a visit, the first visit by an Indian PM in more than four decades. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Åsmund Grøver Aukrust welcomed the signing of a Green Strategic Partnership agreement focused on green transition and digital public goods. "India was the first receiver of Norwegian development assistance in the 1950s. Today they are a main partner for us," the minister said, pointing to the evolution of bilateral ties. "We are very glad to have this partnership, especially on wind transition, when it comes to the digital public partnership." Also read: India-Norway Green Partnership to drive sustainable growth, says FM Eide Aukrust was particularly effusive about India's digital achievements. In Delhi, he witnessed a cashless revolution where citizens routinely make payments using mobile phones. "That was very fascinating. I was there two years ago, and already there had been an enormous change when it comes to digitalisation," he recalled. "I know there's a lot been happening for the last two years, so India is a real international leader, and we want to work together with you." The minister explained the joint work on digital identity as a major success. "India and Norway [are] doing together when it comes to digital ID, which has given more than 100 million people their ID in a digital way, and I mean this is a real milestone," he said. "We have a lot to learn from each other, and to really inspire each other, and to share experience." India's ambitious digital public infrastructure, enabling everything from instant payments to paperless services for its vast population, has impressed global observers. In many parts of Delhi, wallets have become almost redundant, a transformation Aukrust described as striking. Also read: What is Ebola? Symptoms, Congo outbreak, US travel measures and Trump’s remarks The partnership extends beyond bilateral ties. Both countries are exploring "third country" cooperation, particularly in the Global South. "This is what we need in more international development policy, is to also work in third countries with real partnership," Aukrust said. "We look forward to continue to work with India as well with other third countries in the global south." Norway maintains one of the world's most generous aid programmes, allocating one per cent of its national income to development assistance. Aukrust said he would brief fellow ministers in London on the outcomes of the India-Norway meetings. The minister expressed eagerness to return to India soon. "Sometimes we also might inspire you, and definitely the opposite as well," he added.

Norway's development minister praised India's digital leadership during PM Modi’s visit, highlighting a new Green Strategic Partnership focused on the green transition, digital public goods, and Global South cooperation.

Norway minister hails India's digital revolution as key to new green partnership

Oslo, Norway: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has underscored the growing strategic importance of ties with India, praising its economic rise and shared commitment to sustainable development, while highlighting diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, FM Eide described the bilateral relationship as "excellent" both politically and economically."We recognise the importance of India and its ever-growing importance, very close to becoming the third largest economy in the world, but also a very innovative economy in the IT sector, in artificial intelligence, but also in many other industries," Eide said.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Norway, the first by an Indian PM since 1983. The centrepiece of discussions was the elevation of relations into a Green Strategic Partnership, focused on sustainable growth that balances economic expansion with environmental protection."The Green Strategic Partnership is about how we shape the future through economic growth, but the type of economic growth that is both sustainable, takes care of nature, and is more renewable," Eide explained.He commended India's progress on renewables and electrification, noting it had mitigated what could have been a worse energy crisis.A key focus of India-Norway talks was freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupted by war in West Asia. Eide called for adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which requires countries to allow traffic through straits connecting open seas."We need to work together to defend [the] Law of the Seas Convention," he said. In the longer term, Eide expressed hope that resolving the Hormuz issue could contribute to broader stability.The minister also touched on wider global challenges, including war in Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, which he termed as a "root issue" in the Middle East.Yet the emphasis remained firmly on practical cooperation with India. Eide highlighted the value of the Nordic-India engagement, describing Nordic countries as advanced, tightly knit societies keen to partner with the world's most populous nation. "We believe that as relatively small countries, but with advanced economies, we... have this conversation with India," he said, looking forward to the summit.

Eide highlighted the value of the Nordic-India engagement, describing Nordic countries as advanced, tightly knit societies keen to partner with the world's most populous nation. 

Oslo, Norway: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has underscored the growing strategic importance of ties with India, praising its economic rise and shared commitment to sustainable development, while highlighting diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, FM Eide described the bilateral relationship as "excellent" both politically and economically. "We recognise the importance of India and its ever-growing importance, very close to becoming the third largest economy in the world, but also a very innovative economy in the IT sector, in artificial intelligence, but also in many other industries," Eide said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Norway, the first by an Indian PM since 1983. The centrepiece of discussions was the elevation of relations into a Green Strategic Partnership, focused on sustainable growth that balances economic expansion with environmental protection. "The Green Strategic Partnership is about how we shape the future through economic growth, but the type of economic growth that is both sustainable, takes care of nature, and is more renewable," Eide explained. He commended India's progress on renewables and electrification, noting it had mitigated what could have been a worse energy crisis. A key focus of India-Norway talks was freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupted by war in West Asia. Eide called for adherence to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which requires countries to allow traffic through straits connecting open seas. "We need to work together to defend [the] Law of the Seas Convention," he said. In the longer term, Eide expressed hope that resolving the Hormuz issue could contribute to broader stability. The minister also touched on wider global challenges, including war in Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict, which he termed as a "root issue" in the Middle East. Yet the emphasis remained firmly on practical cooperation with India. Eide highlighted the value of the Nordic-India engagement, describing Nordic countries as advanced, tightly knit societies keen to partner with the world's most populous nation. "We believe that as relatively small countries, but with advanced economies, we... have this conversation with India," he said, looking forward to the summit.

Eide highlighted the value of the Nordic-India engagement, describing Nordic countries as advanced, tightly knit societies keen to partner with the world's most populous nation.&nbsp;

India-Norway Green Partnership to drive sustainable growth, says FM Eide

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Norway minister hails India's digital revolution as key to new green partnership

India-Norway Green Partnership to drive sustainable growth, says FM Eide