2024 marks 75 years of diplomatic ties between Denmark and India, with both countries dedicated to accelerating the green transition with ambitious national targets. The Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership, signed in 2020, has been a catalysator for this, underlining both countries’ commitment and setting out a joint roadmap for climate action.

On February 21-23 2024, the 9th edition of India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, The Raisina Dialogue, took place to address some of the most pressing global challenges facing the international community.

Denmark was represented by a delegation led by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, which, together with Danish companies and organisations, participated in expanding the partnership between the two countries through various collaboration agreements.

Related news: Strong Indo-Danish energy cooperation paves the way for India’s climate targets and green job creation 

New green collaborations added to the Indo-Danish partnership

As a result of the delegation visit and Denmark’s green strategic partnership with India, three collaboration agreements were signed during the Foreign Minister’s visit.

cBrain has signed a collaboration agreement regarding digitization with the state of Tamil Nadu. European Sustainable Solutions signed a collaboration agreement with Thermax Limited on municipal waste management and biogas. Ramboll has entered into an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, regarding wastewater management. Finally, the collaboration agreement between IFU – Investment Fund for Developing Countries and Smart Joules was announced, which is a climate financing initiative.

Consider reading: Denmark announces alliance on green fuels in India

Driving green cooperation in Indo-Danish relations

State of Green, represented by Executive Director Finn Mortensen, actively participated in various discussions at the dialogue in the Taj Mahal Palace in New Dehli.

This included a studio session focusing on ocean biodiversity conservation, offshore wind, and global shipping decarbonization, in collaboration with the Global Maritime Forum, Observer Research Foundation India, and the French Ambassador for Poles and Maritime Issues. Other engagements featured a roundtable on tripling investments in clean energy and renewables in India, bringing together stakeholders from businesses, investors, multilateral institutions, and researchers. Additionally, there was a roundtable addressing common goals and diverse pathways for climate-responsible businesses.

India-Denmark relations have grown in depth and breadth in the last few years, with the Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership serving as a catalyst for enhanced green cooperation between the two countries. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited India in 2021, and in May 2022, Prime Minister Modi of India reciprocated with an official visit to Denmark. In 2023, H.R.H King Frederik X of Denmark led a high-level delegation comprising 38 Danish businesses, along with several ministers and decision-makers, on an official royal visit to India.