A joint declaration of intent on migration and mobility has been signed by minister of state for external affairs, V Muraleedharan and Finland’s minister of employment Tuula Haatainen for an agreement between the two countries in these two areas.
The declaration underlines the resolve of both countries to work jointly towards developing a common framework of arrangement and cooperation to facilitate mobility of students, academics, researchers, businesspeople and professionals and to combat irregular migration, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said.
Finland Ambassador to India Ritva Koukku-Ronde and other senior officials from the government of India and Finland were present at the occasion of signing the joint declaration.
India and Finland share warm and friendly relations underpinned by common values of democracy, freedom, rule of law and respect for human rights.
In May this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Finnish counterpart Sanna Marin held a meeting on the margins of the 2nd India-Nordic Summit. Earlier they interacted through video conference during the virtual mode summit in March, 2021. “These interactions have added a strong momentum to our bilateral relations,” according to the ministry.
Last month, both countries agreed to carry mutual cooperation in areas such as digital partnership in future ICT, future mobile technologies and digital education and agreed for enhanced bilateral cooperation in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI).
The decision was taken during a meeting between Union minister of science and technology Dr Jitendra Singh and Finnish minister of education and culture Petri Honkonen in New Delhi on November 14.
India and Finland established diplomatic relations in 1949 after New Delhi became independent in 1947. This year marks 73 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both countries share strong bonds in science, technology and innovation.