Foreign Minister Brende reopens Consulate General in Mumbai
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 03/11/2015 | Last updated: 04/11/2015
'India's economy is growing at a rate of more than 7 % a year. India is an important market for Norway, and as it is the world's largest democracy, our political cooperation is also increasing. I am pleased to be able to reopen Norway's Consulate General in Mumbai. This means that the Foreign Service will be able to provide an even better service to Norwegians and Norwegian companies in India, and our already close relations with India will be further strengthened,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende. The Consulate General was closed in 1973, having been in operation since 1857.
Mr Brende is in India on 2–3 November to take part in the Norway – India Joint Commission Meeting together with India's foreign minister, and to open the new Norwegian Consulate General. Mr Brende has also had other meetings, including with India's minister of finance and the governor of the Reserve Bank of India. The opening of the Consulate General today was attended by around 100 representatives of the Norwegian and Indian business communities, as well as representatives of the diplomatic community in Mumbai. Telenor, which has over 40 million customers in India, is the Norwegian company with the largest presence in the country, but Norwegian companies in the maritime sector are also interested in the Indian market.
'There is great interest in India among Norwegian companies, and around 90 companies currently have a presence in the country. My meetings with India's minister of finance and foreign minister have confirmed that Norwegian investments are very welcome,' said Mr Brende.
There is also broad cooperation between India and Norway in the areas of research, issues relating to climate change and Arctic matters.
'India is a major power on the global stage, and it is playing a crucial role in the lead-up to the climate change conference in Paris and in the negotiations on new global trade agreements,' said Mr Brende.