Denmark ( Copenhagen ) 20 February 2015 :
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cited the healthy trade ties with which Denmark has been a good cooperation partner for India in the EU. National Secretary BJP Kisan Morcha and Prabhari Himachal Pradesh, Advocate Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal who is on a European Tour of Denmark, Italy and Norway landed here in Denmark and immediately presided over a huge gathering of Indians and Bharatiya Janata Party Denmark wing. He thanked everybody for this wonderful reception. Grewal praised the beautiful country of Denmark for providing such great working atmosphere for Indians immigrants who are living happily in the country. It is known that Some 7,000 Indians live in Denmark and the number is growing as Denmark has introduced an attractive Green Card system. Grewal was impressed by the living standards maintained by the country as it is known as the happiest country in the world .Denmark also ranks as having the world's highest social mobility, a high level of income equality, and has one of the world’s highest per capita incomes. For 2013, Denmark is listed 15th on the Human Development Index and 9th on the inequality-adjusted HDI. He added there is so much for India to learn from Denmark and the positives from the society and governance can surely prove good for India too.
India’s relations with Denmark have been frozen since 2011 following the Danish High Court ruling against the extradition of Kim Davies in connection with the Purulia arms drop incident of 1995. In a rare display of anger, India then run by the UPA goverment then chaired by Ms Sonia Gandhi froze senior official-level contacts with Denmark, and later tightened visa procedures for Danish tourists and businessmen. Grewal questioned the illogical step taken by the UPA goverment and It is timely to reassess the situation and ask whether it meets our vital interests or not.
Grewal added that there are some diplomatic tensions arisen between the two countries because of a single person, discussing this further Grewal questioned the Danish goverment stance on not letting India interrogate Kim Davies in connection with the Purulia arms drop incident of 1995. He said a terrorist has no religion,he represents no country and the laws are same for all the terrorist all around the world. Grewal urged his Danish counterparts to allow Kim Davies to be interrogated and this will also unveil some other players and institutions involved in puralia arms drop case . He also stressed that the rights of the Kim Davies will not be violated and his integrity won't be harmed till the time he is not proven guilty. He said denmark have taken a step towards reviving diplomatic friendship as India got admitted as a permanent observer to the Arctic Council along with China, Italy, South Korea, Japan and Singapore. This will enable India to participate in developing the resources of the Arctic. The decision required the consent of the ‘Arctic eight’ consisting of Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Russia and the US. Denmark, which could very well have stalled India’s application citing bilateral issues, did not do so. He is hopeful Danish goverment will not disappoint in India's pursuit of Kim Davies also.
Grewal also cited the healthy trade ties with which Denmark has been a good cooperation partner for India in the EU. It has espoused a liberal trading system and is open to service trade liberalisation. Trade has gone up to $1.2 billion in 2011 from $500 million in 2003, with surplus in India’s favour. Trade in services is also substantial, around $1.5 billion in 2012. FDI of $780 million came in 2011 from Denmark. Though the trade between the two countries have been steady over the few years but showing signs of political optimism Grewal announced that the working conditions in India are way better as compared to the previous UPA regime and now the prime ministers visionary goverment have restored the investors confidence in India.
Grewal said that the United Nations also declared June 21 as the World Yoga Day. The decision, taken at the UN General Assembly, is being seen as a proud moment for India. Talking with the media persons after BJP workers meeting here today Grewal stated that our Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi had urged the world community to celebrate Indian yoga at the international level during his visit to the United Nations in September this year. Grewal told here that India received support of 170 nations and United Nations declare June 21 as the World Yoga Day. He stated that in their speech at the UNGA, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi had said, "Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day. Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature." He told that around 170 nations supported PM Modi's proposal. In November, European Union President Mr. Herman Van Rompuy told Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that the 28 member EU supported his idea for a Yoga Day at the UN. Grewal said that about four months ago, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had appealed to the world community that India's yoga should be celebrated as World Yoga Day. Grewal said that I am happy to inform you that India have received support of 170 nations and the United Nations will declare June 21 as the World Yoga Day". Grewal told that Yoga is the 5000 years old Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice that aims to transform body and mind for good health. In this meeting with the party workers of Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and people of Indian origin Grewal firstly thanked everyone for inviting him to this historical country. At this time Shri Ramesh Kumar Bhardwaj Copenhagen, Shri Mangat Ram Sharma, Shri Satish Kumar Joshi Italy, Sr. Jatinderpal Singh, Shri Vaishiv Soni , Shri Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Shri Abneet Dhir Sonu, Shri Aman Sharma and Shri Sushant Bhardwaj we're present.
