Norway

In a firm rebuttal to allegations that Indian pharmaceutical companies replicate products developed by Swiss firms, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has categorically dismissed such claims as unfounded. Emphasizing India’s commitment to intellectual property rights, Goyal underscored the nation’s legal safeguards against unethical patent extensions and highlighted India’s refusal to tolerate “evergreening” of patents.

Teen Grandmaster and reigning World Champion D Gukesh marked his 19th birthday with a decisive victory over World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura at the Norway Chess tournament, reigniting his campaign after a rocky start. Following consecutive losses to Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi, the Chennai prodigy demonstrated resilience and tactical maturity in a 42-move win against the American blitz maestro.

In a significant step toward digital innovation in the Nordic banking sector, Indian IT giant Infosys has broadened its strategic collaboration with Norway’s largest financial institution, DNB Bank ASA. The expanded alliance aims to accelerate DNB’s IT transformation by modernizing core banking systems, enhancing technological resilience, and delivering personalized customer services. Leveraging the Infosys Finacle platform and advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning, Infosys will support DNB in optimizing operations and minimizing systemic disruptions.

On April 28, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal embarked on a five-day visit to London, Oslo, and Brussels to further India's trade and investment relations with the UK, Norway, and the European Union (EU). The trip is crucial, with negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK entering the final stages. Additionally, the visit comes on the heels of India’s comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and ongoing talks for an FTA with the EU, which is progressing swiftly.

Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited, has successfully delivered the first of six eco-friendly dry cargo vessels, Wilson Eco 1, to Wilson Ship Management AS of Norway. This delivery is a significant step in India’s growing role in providing sustainable maritime solutions. The vessel, designed with cutting-edge green technologies, is part of a Norwegian government initiative aimed at reducing maritime environmental impact. Additionally, UCSL has secured further orders, including an Rs.