Norway’s Ambassador May-Elin Stener Celebrates One Year in India
New Delhi, India – Norway’s Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, has completed one year of her posting in India. To mark the occasion, she shared a heartfelt post in Hindi, dressed in her favorite Indian attire, the sari. Stener reflected on her experiences and the strong bilateral relationship between Norway and India.
Highlights of the Year
In a video posted on her X-handle, Stener answered rapid-fire questions about India. When asked which Indian she would like to see visit Norway, she mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She also highlighted her visit to Kongsberg Digital in Bangalore, where she saw many young, competent Indians working for a Norwegian company. Stener praised the collaborative projects between Norway and India, especially those aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
Favorite City and Bollywood Dialogue
Stener revealed that her favorite city in India is Jaipur, although she acknowledged that India has much to offer. Showcasing her Hindi skills, she recited her favorite Bollywood dialogue, ‘Picture abhi baaki hai, mere dost.’
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Stener presented her credentials to President Droupadi Murmu in August last year and expressed her commitment to further strengthening the partnership between India and Norway. The bilateral relationship between the two countries is strong and growing, particularly in areas like the ocean, energy, and environment. Bilateral trade has doubled in recent years.
Economic and Cultural Connections
The Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund is one of India’s largest single foreign investors, with around USD 17.6 billion invested. Norway’s new Climate Investment Fund has invested 7 billion INR (974 million NOK) in renewables in India. There are approximately 200 Norwegian companies operating in India, and over 20,000 Indians live in Norway, making the people-to-people connections deep and strong.
Doubts Revealed
Ambassador -: An ambassador is a person who represents their country in another country. They work to build good relationships between the two countries.
May-Elin Stener -: May-Elin Stener is a person from Norway who is working in India as the ambassador. She helps Norway and India work together and understand each other better.
Bilateral relationship -: A bilateral relationship is a connection between two countries where they work together and help each other. In this case, it is the relationship between Norway and India.
Jaipur -: Jaipur is a city in India known for its beautiful palaces and rich history. It is also called the Pink City because many buildings are pink.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the leader of India. He is the Prime Minister, which means he is in charge of the government and makes important decisions for the country.
Norwegian companies -: Norwegian companies are businesses from Norway that operate in different countries, including India. They contribute to the economy and create jobs.
People-to-people connections -: People-to-people connections are the friendships and relationships between the people of two countries. These connections help in understanding each other’s cultures and building strong bonds.