Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated on Tuesday his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy as he met with Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen who hoped that New Delhi will use its influence with both sides to end the Ukraine war.

The statements came at a press conference on Tuesday when Modi arrived in Denmark as a part of the second leg of his three-nation Europe trip. Upon reaching Copenhagen airport from Germany, Modi was received by his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen, with whom he later had long conversations on the expansive lawns of her residence. He is expected to attend the 2nd India-Nordic Summit.

“We appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and return to dialogue and diplomacy for resolving the crisis,” Modi said at Copenhagen airport, in a similar message that he had conveyed earkuer during his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. “There will be no winning party in this war, everyone will suffer,” he said on Monday.

In the joint statement, Modi and Scholz two leaders had expressed their “serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine,” and unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine. “They emphasized that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law, and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states.”

Both leaders also agreed to remain engaged on the issue. Poor and developing countries, Modi said, are also impacted by the conflict due to the high global prices of fuel, food, and fertilizers.

Germany on Monday committed to provide additional support worth euro 10 billion to India by 2030 to support green growth initiatives. India and Germany also agreed to work together on joint projects in third countries in an apparent signal to counter China’s debt-driven infra financing model, Business Standard said.

Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen hoped that India will influence Russia on Ukraine and asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop this war and end the killings. “My message is very clear that Putin has got to stop this war and end the killings. I, of course, hope that India will influence Russia also in this discussion,” she was quoted as saying.

During his meeting with Frederiksen, Modi discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest to boost the bilateral relationship and also held delegation-level talks. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues.

“Both Prime Ministers reviewed the progress of the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership. Discussions covered cooperation in renewable energy, especially offshore wind energy and green hydrogen, as well as skill development, health, shipping, water, and the Arctic, among others,” reads a statement released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 

In Denmark, Modi will take part in bilateral and multilateral engagements on Tuesday and Wednesday, including in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Leaders will take stock of the cooperation since the First India-Nordic Summit in 2018 as India enhances and widens its cooperation with a more engaging Europe as it gives more attention to the Indo-Pacific geography.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in New Delhi last week to attend the Raisina Dialogue and a meeting with Modi.

Modi and Frederikson also appreciated the progress in the restart of negotiations on India- EU Trade, Investment, and Geographical Indicators Agreements and called for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial approach and an early and simultaneous conclusion.
(SAM)