IMPHAL, Jan 6 (PIB): Brian Mikkelsen, Danish Minister for Economy and Business Affairs today called on GK Vasan, Minister of Shipping government of India in his office at New Delhi.
According to a release of PIB Imphal, both the ministers during the meeting today discussed various issues pertaining to the ongoing negotiations on Indian-European Union Agreement on Maritime Sector, Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union and cooperation in the field of shipping/maritime sector between the India and Denmark.
The release further mentioned that, senior officers from the Ministry of Shipping were also present during the meeting.
The release of PIB, Imphal further elaborated that, the two sides discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation in shipping/maritime sector and decided on exploring possibilities for cooperation between the two countries in the areas of ship designing, maritime training and education, off-shore wind energy, investment possibilities.
It is also further mentioned that, both the countries stressed the need for taking counter measures against piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia.
On the other hand, Vasan during the meeting informed that, his ministry is in discussion with Ministry of External Affairs/Ministry of Defence to take up a multi pronged approach to dealt with the problem of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia through increase presence of the navy as also the possibility of presence of a unified force under the command of the UN the release added.
The release further mentioned that, Vasan also highlighted the availability of highly trained manpower, as a result of quality maritime education infrastructure available in India, which could be tapped by the Danish maritime sector. Mikkelsen, while pointing out that the officers from India outnumber officers from any country including Denmark, said that Denmark would outnumber officers from any country including Denmark, said that Denmark would welcome Indian officers since it is mutually beneficial to both countries and the discussion ended with both side agreeing to carry forward to cordial cooperation in the years ahead the release added.