Norway and India enter into an agreement on fisheries cooperation

Norway and India have entered into an agreement on cooperation in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture. “Our long-term ambition is that India will be a major new market for Norwegian fish,” Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said today, after signing the agreement during his official visit to New Delhi.

The agreement that has been concluded sets out the institutional framework for aquaculture cooperation between Norway and India. India is among the ten largest seafood producers in the world, and half of its production is from fish farming.

“Norway has considerable expertise in the field of aquaculture, and there is great potential for cooperation with India in this sector,” Foreign Minister Støre commented.

Norway and India have also concluded negotiations on a taxation agreement and a social security agreement, which are to be signed this spring and which will give companies interested in investing in India more predictable framework conditions.

“There is increasing competition for Asia’s attention. In order for Norway to further its interests in the best possible way in the future, we must forge strong economic and political ties to the new Asia,” Mr Støre said. A growing number of Norwegian companies are establishing themselves in India, and the Foreign Minister met representatives from Telenor, Aker Solutions, DNV and SN Power, among others.

“It is important that Norwegian companies in India focus on their corporate social responsibility, and my impression is that the Norwegian companies I have met here today place great emphasis on CSR,” Mr Støre said.

In addition to focusing on the framework conditions for Norwegian companies, Mr Støre took part in political talks during his visit to New Delhi. During his meeting with Foreign Minister Krishna, the international climate negotiations, the WTO, and developments in Afghanistan were discussed.

“Norway and India share an interest in promoting a stable and democratic Afghanistan. India is a key actor in the region, and I was very interested in my Indian colleague’s analysis of the situation,” said Mr Støre.