External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar congratulated Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir on her appointment as the Foreign Minister of Iceland on Sunday. Jaishankar expressed his eagerness to further strengthen the ties between India and Iceland.
In a post on X, he said, “Congratulations Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir on your appointment as the Foreign Minister of Iceland. Look forward to working together to further strengthen India-Iceland ties.”
Congratulations Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir on your appointment as the Foreign Minister of Iceland.
Look forward to working together to further strengthen 🇮🇳 🇮🇸 ties. @thorgkatrin
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 22, 2024
Despite the distance and differences in population size, India and Iceland have built a friendship based on shared values and mutual interests. A series of high-level visits since 2000 have infused new energy into bilateral relations, further bolstered by the opening of resident missions in Delhi in February 2006 and Reykjavik in August 2008, according to the Indian Embassy in Iceland.
Iceland was the first Nordic country to publicly extend support to India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as stated by the Embassy. Additionally, Iceland was one of the co-sponsors of India’s resolution at the UN to declare June 21 as the “International Day of Yoga.”
Icelanders show a keen interest in Indian culture, particularly yoga, films, and food. Many Icelanders visit India for tourism, with Kerala and Pondicherry being their preferred destinations. A bilateral Cultural Agreement is in place, and film and food festivals, along with cultural programs, have been organized in Reykjavik. Many Icelanders also take advantage of free yoga classes offered by the ICCR teacher at the Embassy, the University of Iceland, and the International School of Iceland.
Bilateral trade has fluctuated over the years, rising from USD 26.51 million in 2013-14 to a low of USD 13.30 million in 2017-18, before picking up again to USD 39.49 million in 2018-19. Imports from Iceland primarily consist of cod-liver oil and other fish products, medicines, aluminum products, and ferrosilicon, while exports from India include organic chemicals, apparel, textile yarn, cereals and cereal products, and miscellaneous manufactured goods.
Negotiations are currently underway for a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Iceland is one of the four members. The two countries had previously signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, the latter of which is in the process of being renewed.
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