This article covers the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Denmark, the Green Strategic Partnership, visits by leaders, ministers and parliamentarians, and the mechanisms for regular dialogue. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief on India and Denmark of July 2026.

Establishment of relations and the Green Strategic Partnership

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, diplomatic relations between India and Denmark were established in September 1949. The brief states that they are based on historical links, common democratic traditions and a shared desire for regional as well as international peace and stability.

Relations were elevated to the level of a Green Strategic Partnership during a Virtual Summit on 28 September 2020 between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen. The brief states that the current development of renewed India-Denmark relations has been guided by the Green Strategic Partnership.

Meeting of the Prime Ministers in May 2026

Prime Minister Modi met the Acting Prime Minister of Denmark, H.E. Ms. Mette Frederiksen, on 19 May 2026 in Oslo, Norway, on the sidelines of the 3rd India-Nordic Summit. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation and, according to the brief, expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in the joint agenda.

Both leaders welcomed the advances made in the Green Strategic Partnership, which the brief says prioritises collaboration on environment and climate change and pooling of efforts to aid the green transition in both countries. They decided to further strengthen collaboration in new and emerging technologies, communications, advanced research, start-ups and academic exchanges, and discussed cooperation in defence and AI. The Prime Minister invited Danish companies to set up a presence in GIFT city, Gujarat.

Prime Minister's visit to Denmark in May 2022

Prime Minister Modi paid an official visit to Denmark on 3-4 May 2022. The visit had two components: bilateral talks with PM Frederiksen and the 2nd India-Nordic Summit, hosted by India and Denmark. In the bilateral talks, the two Prime Ministers reviewed the progress of the Green Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on regional and global issues.

H.M. Queen Margrethe II received the Prime Minister and hosted an official dinner in his honour. He also addressed an India-Denmark Business Forum held at the headquarters of the Danish Industry (DI). Agreements and MoUs were exchanged in the following fields:

  • migration and mobility;
  • green shipping;
  • cultural exchange programme;
  • water resource management;
  • skill development;
  • animal husbandry and dairying.

On 4 May 2022, the Prime Minister attended the 2nd India-Nordic Summit with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland, which reviewed India-Nordic relations and issued a Joint Statement. On the sidelines, he held bilateral talks with the Prime Ministers of Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway.

Other visits at the highest level

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of the Kingdom of Denmark visited India from 26 February-2 March 2023. They called on the President of India and met the Vice President, who hosted an official banquet in their honour. They took part in the "India and Denmark: Partners for Green and Sustainable Progress" Conference, visited Tamil Nadu and met the Governor. They were accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister of Environment Mr. Magnus Heunicke and Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Mr. Lars Aagaard.

Prime Minister Ms. Mette Frederiksen paid a State Visit to India on 9-11 October 2021, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and called on the President of India. The brief notes that this was the first visit by a Head of Government to India following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The then Danish Prime Minister, Mr. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, visited India from 18-19 January 2019 for a global summit in Gujarat at which Denmark took part as a Partner Country. Prime Minister Modi had also met Prime Minister Rasmussen at the India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm on 17 April 2018.

Foreign ministers

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Denmark on 20 and 21 May 2025. He called on Prime Minister H.E. Ms. Mette Frederiksen and briefed her on developments in the Green Strategic Partnership, and they discussed regional and international developments. He also met the Speaker of Parliament, Søren Gade, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Morten Bødskov.

Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, with an official delegation, visited India from 21-22 February 2024. He took part in the 9th edition of the Raisina Dialogue and held bilateral discussions with EAM Dr S. Jaishankar. Earlier visits by Danish foreign ministers recorded in the brief include:

  • Mr. Jeppe Kofod, from 14-16 January 2020, to attend the 5th edition of the Raisina Dialogue;
  • Mr. Anders Samuelsen, from 17-18 December 2018 and from 27-30 November 2017, visits during which, according to the brief, he co-chaired the Joint Commission Meeting with the External Affairs Minister.

Parliamentary exchanges

An All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Member of Parliament, visited Copenhagen from 29-31 May 2025. The brief states that its purpose was to convey India's unwavering stance against terrorism and its resolve to obliterate every trace of it. The delegation was received at the Deputy Speaker's level in the Danish Parliament.

Other parliamentary exchanges recorded in the brief include:

  • a visit to India by the Danish Speaker, Mr. Soren Gade, and the Danish Presidium from 3-9 March 2024;
  • a 5-member Parliamentary Committee led by the Higher Education and Science Minister, Ms. Christina Egelund, from 3-9 March 2024;
  • a visit by the Danish Parliamentary Standing Committee for European Affairs, headed by MP Mr Niels Fleming Hansen, from 17-20 April 2023;
  • a 7-member Danish Parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee delegation led by Chairman Martin Lidegaard, from 3-6 March 2020;
  • a visit to Denmark by an Indian Parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Smt. Meira Kumar, from 16-18 June 2011;
  • a visit to Denmark by a UP Legislature delegation led by Shri Satish Mahana, Speaker of the UP Legislative Assembly, and Shri Kunwar Manvendra Singh, Chairperson of the UP Legislative Council, from 13-16 August 2023, which met Mr. Bertel Haarder, Chairman of the Danish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.

Dialogue mechanisms

The brief describes a number of bilateral institutional mechanisms at different levels. Two provide the broad framework for bilateral consultations:

  • the Joint Commission Meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers, established in 2008;
  • Foreign Office Consultations at Secretary level, established in 1995.

As of July 2026, four meetings of the Joint Commission have been held. The last, the 4th Joint Commission Meeting, was held in Copenhagen in September 2021, with EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visiting on 4-5 September 2021; both sides reviewed the progress made since the launch of the Green Strategic Partnership. Eight rounds of Foreign Office Consultations have been held since 1995, the most recent being the 8th round on 17 November 2025 in New Delhi.

Joint Working Groups between line ministries, which cover sectoral cooperation, are described in this guide's article on the Green Strategic Partnership and sectoral cooperation.