India and Denmark on February 22, 2024 signed the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement which will allow Indians to work in Denmark within a structured framework and will also provide employment opportunities for Indians especially in the health sector.
The External Affairs Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar and Danish foreign minister Lars Rasmussen on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. They exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interests.
As statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said, “The ministers signed a mobility and migration partnership agreement between India and Denmark. The ministers decided to explore possibilities of establishing a partnership on recruitment of healthcare professionals for employment in Denmark.”
In an interview with an Indian media agency, the Danish Minister Rasmussen said “We took an important step forward today by signing this mobility and partnership agreement, which will setup more predictable framework for Indians who want to work in Denmark or study in Denmark. And in a very concrete manner it will give them some advantages.
For instance, if you are a young Indian applying for a Danish University, our main rule is that when you graduate, you have to leave unless you have a job, and we will extend that, so the PhD from India takes like three years to settle down in Denmark. So that is a very, very concrete result of this kind of cooperation, he added. And I discussed this with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to take a further step because it is a general framework which allows Indians to knock at our doors.
But who will do it? Will it be many of you? I don’t know. So, in order to ensure, that we actually have some young Indians, we will now explore especially in the healthcare sector, whether we could organize a much more concrete and practical cooperation. And I think, the vision will be to be setup with some kind of Danish facility linked to one nursing school in India, he further said.
When asked about specifc sectors Denmark is focused on, the minister stated that people generally are welcomed if they are skilled and embrace their society models, which Indians typically do. He mentioned the significant diaspora in Denmark and emphasized the absence of issues. Regarding sectors, he highlighted the green tech sector as a comparative advantage due to Denmark’s proficiency. He also noted the demographic challenges and the need for mor skilled workers, particularly in health care.
They year 2024 marks 75 years of diplomatic relationship between India and Denmark. To mark the occasion, the two ministers unveiled a joint logo. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that “The Ministers noted the significant outcomes under the umbrella of Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership. They further agreed to finalise the Green Strategic partnership at the earliest in 2024. To conclude an updated India-Denmark Joint Action Plan (2021-26) and hold the next round of India-Denmark Joint Commission at the earliest possible convenience.”
The two sides welcomed the establishment of a new centre of excellence on Smart Water Resource Modelling and signing of a joint declaration of intent between CDSCO and DKMA on the cooperation in the field of medical products regulation.
The foreign ministers statement added “Both ministers further agreed to work towards expanding the Indo-Danish Partnership into new areas, including defence, security and new technology. Both decided to explore possibilities of Danish contribution to Indo-Pacific Oceans initiative. They agreed to work towards an enhanced strategic perspective for a Comprehensive Green Strategic Partnership once the existing Joint Action Plan ends in 2026.”
On challenges in the Red Sea, owing to the Israel-Hamas War, the Danish minster expressed his concern, but also commended India’s efforts in securing those waters by deploying naval ships to safeguard commercial shipping lanes of the Red Sea.
He said “We are very worried about the situation in the Red Sea. I mean we are a small country, but big maritime nation, as India. And the right to free navigation is our basic right in our global community. And if we don’t manage to uphold that model, it comes with huge implications in terms of world trade, etc. So, I want to commend India for stepping up, having deployed naval ships to the Red Sea.”
Minister Rasmussen added that they had undertaken similar actions on a smaller scale, including sending one frigate and organising a new operation. Additionally, they deployed an officer to the American fleet for offensive operations in the area, emphasising close coordination with India. He commended India for their participation, highlighting the importance of multiple countries ensuring safety in the Red Sea.
