Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope that negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be concluded as soon as possible, as he met with Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday.

The European Union (EU) and Indian leaders had agreed on May 8, 2021 to resume negotiations for a “balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial” trade agreement and to launch separate negotiations on an investment protection agreement and another agreement on geographical indications.

An agreement had been reached to link trade negotiations to finding “solutions to long-standing market access issues”, reported ANI.

Both leaders held delegation-level talks in Copenhagen today to review progress in the Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries. PM Modi and his Danish counterpart also discussed India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Addressing a joint press conference with PM Frederiksen, “Today we also discussed many regional and global issues including India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific and Ukraine. We hope that the negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be concluded at the earliest.”

He further said that India and Denmark share similar values of democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. “Together we both have several complementary strengths,” he said.

PM Modi said, “During the India-Denmark virtual summit in October 2020, we had termed our relations a Green Strategic Partnership. During our discussions today, we also reviewed the joint work plan of our Green Strategic Partnership.”

Notably, the Indian PM arrived in Denmark’s Copenhagen earlier today. His visit will include several engagements including talks with leaders from Nordic countries.