PM Modi said in joint press conference with Finland – It is not possible to resolve issues only through military confrontation.

New Delhi. Amid the ongoing military conflict in West Asia, India and Finland have stressed on the rule of law and diplomacy, saying that military conflict alone cannot resolve any issue. Both countries have emphasized on an early end to the conflict and establishment of peace in West Asia and Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint press statement after bilateral talks with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb here on Thursday that India and Finland have decided to give the status of strategic partnership to their relationship to further deepen cooperation in areas ranging from technology to defence.

The two countries also signed three MoUs to enhance cooperation in various fields. Both countries have expressed confidence in the rule of law and advocated reforms in global institutions. He also expressed his commitment to root out all forms of terrorism.

Referring to instability and uncertainty in the world, Modi said that from Ukraine to West Asia, there is a situation of conflict in many parts of the world. He said that both India and Finland believe in rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. He said, “We are unanimous that military confrontation alone cannot solve any issue. Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support every effort for peace and an early end to the conflict.”

Referring to the agreement to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries, he said that in the current circumstances, the increasing cooperation of the world’s two biggest diplomatic powers, India and Europe, is giving new strength to global stability, development and shared prosperity.

Referring to the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union, he said that this will further strengthen cooperation between them in the fields of trade, investment and technology. The two countries are important partners in areas such as digital technology, infrastructure and sustainability. On the long-standing cooperation between the two countries, he said Nokia’s mobile phones and telecommunication networks have connected millions of Indians.

In collaboration with Finnish architects, India has built the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River. In partnership with Finland, India has also built the world’s largest bamboo bio-ethanol refinery in Numaligarh. He said that taking inspiration from this cooperation, both the countries have decided to transform the relationship into a strategic partnership in digitalization and sustainability.

He said, “This partnership will give impetus and energy to our cooperation in many high-tech areas, from AI to 6G telecommunications, clean energy to quantum computing. It will also deepen the partnership in key sectors like defence, space, semiconductors and critical minerals.” The Prime Minister said that this strategic partnership of democratic and responsible countries like India and Finland will contribute to ensuring reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world.

He said that both the countries are also unanimous that to solve the growing global challenges, reform in global institutions is not only necessary but should be done immediately. He said that both the countries have also committed to root out every form of terrorism. Shri Modi said that Finland is becoming a primary destination for Indian students and talent and to connect the innovation ecosystem of both the countries, we have entered into a comprehensive ‘Migration and Mobility Agreement’ with Finland.

He said, “With this, we are also going to further strengthen joint research and start-up cooperation. Finland is a role model in the field of education. He said,” Today we have also agreed to increase cooperation on teacher training, school-to-school partnerships and research on the future of education. That is, from schools to industries, we are going to give new depth to our cooperation at every level of human resources.” The Prime Minister said that a healthy earth is our common priority and this year with Finland we are going to host the ‘World Circular Economy Forum’ in India. This will give new momentum and new ideas to sustainability efforts.