If Norway was a state in India, its population would rank it right below Himachal Pradesh. What makes a good partner is, however, not shaped by its size, but by the complementarity of interests, values, and economies. The deepening of the relationship between Norway and India over the last couple of years shows that the cooperation is mutually beneficial. I am glad to be able to visit India so soon after taking over as the Norwegian foreign minister to develop the relationship further.
Norway was one of the first countries to recognise India on its Independence in 1947. As I take this opportunity to congratulate India on its 75th year of Independence, I take pride in the stable and positive relationship we have had since then.
The rules-based international order is crucial to seek solutions to common challenges. Multilateral institutions like the United Nations (UN) have played a key role in developing the rules-based international system of cooperation between States.
Like India, Norway has benefited politically and economically from this system, and has high stakes in its survival. Norway truly values its cooperation with India in the multilateral arena. Currently, we are both faced with demanding tasks as members of the UN Security Council. Despite the challenges, both India and Norway continue to work together tirelessly to support binding international cooperation and making the multilateral system more effective and inclusive. The world needs more, not less, multilateral cooperation.
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