- Prelims: Current events of international importance, Nordic-Baltic countries(mapping), EU, G20, G10, FTA, mapping(European countries)etc
- Mains GS Paper II: Bilateral, regional and global grouping involving India or affecting India’s interests etc
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
- The eight Nordic-Baltic countries, are participating in Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi
- Together as representatives of the Nordic-Baltic cooperation, the NB8
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
Nordic Baltic (NB)8:
- The NB8 is a regional cooperation format that brings together the Nordic countries and the Baltic states.
- It comprises five Nordic countries:
- Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
- Three Baltic states:
- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
- The group shares historical, cultural, and geographical ties, fostering collaboration and cooperation in various fields, including politics, economics, trade, security, and culture.
- Nordic countries are located in Northern Europe and share similarities in governance, social systems, and values
- Baltic states are situated in Northeastern Europe and have their unique historical backgrounds and geopolitical positioning.
Importance of NB8:
- They are advanced economies that are
- outward-looking
- innovation-driven
- complementary and fully integrated into the world’s largest single market area, the European Common Market.
- Taken together, the size of the Nordic-Baltic economies would qualify not only for the G-20 but also the G-10.
- They are champions of an international order based on multilateralism and international law.
Diverse links with India
● The Nordic-Baltic cooperation with India spans fields as
○ innovation
○ green transition
○ maritime
○ health
○ intellectual property rights
○ new technologies
○ space cooperation and artificial intelligence
○ student exchanges
○ culture and tourism.
● Trade and investment figures between NB8 and India are steadily increasing.
● The security of the Nordic-Baltic region and the Indo-Pacific is interlinked.
● NB8 recognises India’s increasingly important role in international politics.
○ Indian leadership, as illustrated through G-20 presidency
○ increasingly important for global security and prosperity.
The impact of the war against Ukraine:
● Russia is trying to dominate a democratic neighboring country and alter borders using illegal force.
● The attack on international law and on the fundamental principles of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states.
○ Upholding principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, ensuring accountability for the crimes committed, is paramount.
● The war affects global food and energy security, supply chains, macro-financial stability, inflation and growth.
Way Forward
- Building strong commitment to the multilateral system: NB8 wants to increase dialogue and cooperation on the issues that dominate India’s and other global partners’ agendas.
- NB8 and India’s partnership is for development and health; a partnership for green transition and digitalisation; and a partnership for peace and stability.
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics.(UPSC 2022) (250 WORDS, 15 MARKS)
