PM meets Danish minister, seeks Purulia arms drop accused's extradition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Danish minister Lars Christian Lilleholt on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat summit, and raised the issue of Purulia arms drop accused Kim Davy's extradition, an official said.

Modi, in his meeting with Lilleholt, raised the issue of Kim Davy's extradition and hoped that Denmark would take into account India's sensitivities and extend full cooperation, said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

The Danish Minister assured that Denmark was seized of the matter.

Davy is the key accused in the Purulia arms drop case of 1995, in which unauthorised arms were dropped from an Antonov An-26 aircraft in West Bengal's Purulia district.

Modi also expressed his gratitude for Denmark's support to India's membership of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

India became a member of MTCR in June last year. Its bid to enter the NSG has however been blocked by China's veto.

Lilleholt, who is the Danish Minister of Energy, Utilities and Climate Change, also told Modi that Denmark is keen on participating in the smart cities project, and was awaiting an early visit by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu. It is also keen to cooperate with India in the area of green energy particularly wind and solar.

He also sought Denmark's participation in the areas of ports and shipping, waste water management and energy efficiency, in all of which Denmark had considerable expertise.

Modi noted that Indo-Danish bilateral trade of $2.8 billion and Danish investment of $6 billion in India showed the strength of trade and investment ties between the two countries. Denmark and India had both prioritized 'Mission Innovation' and this was also a promising area of cooperation, he added.

He also told the Danish minister that India had set ambitious targets for combating climate change in COP21 with plans to install 175GW of renewable energy capacity, where Denmark could be a valuable partner.

He said that new innovation was needed in the wind energy sector and also advocated a hybrid model where they could get benefit from both solar and wind energy during day and night through an integrated system.

Modi also sought Denmark's participation in the international Solar Alliance which would promote innovation, research, affordable and sustainable technology, especially for smaller countries.

The 8th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is being be held here January 10-13 with the central focus of "Sustainable Economic and Social Development".

--IANS

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