where over the past 35 years; Danish GDP has increased
by more than 70% while energy consumption has
remained unchanged. Today we have some of the world’s
leading companies on wind and we continue to develop
ambitious policies and legislation that works to promote
a green transition. In partnership with the Indian
government, we aim to support the implementation of
India’s ambitious targets for renewable energy through
sharing of best practices and by promoting increased
participation of Danish companies in the impressive
Indian energy transition.
Beyond the area of renewable energy, we also know
how to create clean, liveable cities that are sustainable
both economically, environmentally and socially. With
millions of Indians taking to urban environments over
the next decade and the 100 Smart Cities Programme,
we believe there is great potential for sharing Danish
lessons learnt in the area of sustainable and smart cities
and for applying Danish competencies and technologies
in India. .
Denmark has built up competencies within the maritime
sector over the last 1000 years and Danish companies
have considerable experience with global logistics,
especially in ship design and shipbuilding components.
In the fast growing Indian economy, the maritime sector
is an important pillar. With the Danish competences, we
believe Denmark is well equipped to meet the challenges
in India.
All the same, Denmark is an agricultural country at
heart. We remain one of the largest exporters of pork
and dairy technology worldwide. We are a leader
in organic farming and food safety standards – all
competencies that are crucial to the more demanding
Indian consumers of tomorrow.
India is going through challenging but visionary reforms
– part of these with the purpose of building a digital
governance. In many ways, India has indeed been a
fast mover when it comes to digitisation, and digital
governance systems are already being implemented at
an unprecedented scale in India. And although Denmark
is much smaller in size, our country is one of the world’s
best in digitisation and we have significant experiences
to share. Almost 90% of all communication – from
health to taxes – between the Danish citizens and the
public administration is being done electronically today.
The same goes, when it comes to health and life science.
Compared to size, Denmark is one of the leading countries
in the world within health care and life science. We have
extensive public-private partnerships in the health
sector that promotes innovation and development.
We want to support the Indian society in its continued
development. And we know from our own experience
that bringing women into the workforce can be a
game changer in economic growth. Therefore, one of
Denmark’s key priorities worldwide is to encourage
gender equality.
As I mentioned in the beginning Denmark and India
have been intertwined for 400 years. And while trade
is important, our relationship rests on people and the
exchanges between them. Indians travel to Denmark
for tourism, to study and to work. Similarly, Danes
travel to India. At the Embassy, we believe that the
relations between our two countries are fostered by
building people-to-people relations and the exchange of
our different cultures. Therefore, in this magazine, you
will also read about Danish culture and Indo-Danish
relations.
The bilateral relationship between India and Denmark
has not been a straight progression over its 400 years
course. Nevertheless, like last year, I believe that 2019
can be characterized as a year with great progression in
the bilateral relationship between India and Denmark.
And for now, we are pleased to play a small part in the
growth and development of modern India through our
trade, economic and cultural relations.
I hope you will read the magazine with a great pleasure.
Best regards
Peter Taksøe-Jensen,
Ambassador of Denmark to India