Latest news with #Svane
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
‘Ugly Face Of Terror': Why Ex-Danish Envoy Dropped Bombshell, Backed Operation Sindoor
New Delhi: Denmark's former Ambassador to India, Freddy Svane, has endorsed India's recent military operation 'Operation Sindoor' and called for global action against Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism. Svane, who served as Denmark's envoy to India, praised India's decisive military response and emphasised its importance in sending a strong message to the international community. He highlighted that Pakistan's shifting narratives, particularly regarding Sajid Mir, an accused of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, have exposed the country's inconsistencies in combating terrorism. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Svane urged the global community to take a stand against Pakistan's actions. 'Terrorism does not emerge spontaneously. It is funded, structured and executed with intent. Pakistan's role in this is evident,' he said. Svane's comments align with concerns raised by Indian officials about Pakistan's alleged misuse of international financial assistance, including IMF loans, to support military-intelligence operations and terrorist groups. Svane also commended India's decision to send an all-party delegation led by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to Copenhagen, highlighting the importance of international solidarity in addressing the issue. He noted that this initiative has been well-received in Denmark and reflects India's commitment to combating terrorism. In addition, Svane criticised Pakistan's handling of terrorist activities. 'Pakistan may present many faces, but when it comes to terrorism, it reveals its true and ugly face,' he said, referring to recent incidents such as the Pahalgam attack as evidence of Pakistan's continued involvement in cross-border terrorism. Svane concluded by emphasising the need for a unified global response to combat terrorism and hold accountable those who support and finance such activities. His statements add to the growing international pressure on Pakistan to take concrete actions against terrorism and its financing.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
"Blown Away": Former Danish Ambassador On Adani Group's Khavda Renewable Energy Park
Copenhagen/New Delhi: Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, on Sunday said he was "blown away" by the magnitude of the Adani Group's mega renewable energy (RE) park in Gujarat's Khavda. Speaking to IANS, Svane, a well-travelled and highly experienced diplomat, visited Khavda RE park - the world's largest - in November last year, along with ambassadors from the European Union (EU), Belgium, and Germany. "I was so blown away by the magnitude and the kind of strategy aligned behind it. It was an eye opener, and shows that the green transition, green strategic cooperation, whatever we call it, is so important," he said. Svane further stated that such green energy projects are not only good for bilateral relations but also a must for humanity, as "we need to have a better and more sustainable world". "Our next generations will be suffering if we don't solve this climate crisis," the former Ambassador told IANS. During the ambassadors' visit, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, had said it was a privilege to host them. Gautam Adani said the discussions with the envoys focused on strengthening global partnerships to drive India's energy transition and accelerate the hydrogen ecosystem. "It was a privilege to host the ambassadors from the EU, Belgium, Denmark and Germany at our office. I deeply appreciate their visit to the world's largest renewable energy park in Khavda, Gujarat, and India's largest port, logistics and industrial hub in Mundra," the Adani Group Chairman had posted on social media platform X. The discussions were "truly insightful, focusing on strengthening global partnerships to drive India's energy transition and accelerate the hydrogen ecosystem," said the billionaire industrialist, adding: "At Adani, we continue to drive forward with our ambitious renewable energy initiatives while ensuring a balanced energy mix that supports a sustainable future for all of India". Svane further said he was so pleased when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Denmark, and "we could really take the green strategic partnership forward, which is so important". "I do hope that it will also inspire others because what can be done bilaterally is not enough. It calls for a kind of global action, like the fight against terror," Svane told IANS. PM Modi paid an official visit to Denmark on May 3-4, 2022 and had bilateral talks with his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen. During the talks, the two Prime Ministers reviewed the progress of India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
‘Blown away' by magnitude of Adani Group's Khavda RE park: Former Danish Ambassador
Copenhagen/New Delhi: Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, on Sunday said he was "blown away" by the magnitude of the Adani Group's mega renewable energy (RE) park in Gujarat's Khavda. Speaking to IANS, Svane, a well-travelled and highly experienced diplomat, visited Khavda RE park - the world's largest - in November last year, along with ambassadors from the European Union (EU), Belgium, and Germany. "I was so blown away by the magnitude and the kind of strategy aligned behind it. It was an eye opener, and shows that the green transition, green strategic cooperation, whatever we call it, is so important," he said. Svane further stated that such green energy projects are not only good for bilateral relations but also a must for humanity, as "we need to have a better and more sustainable world". "Our next generations will be suffering if we don't solve this climate crisis," the former Ambassador told IANS. During the ambassadors' visit, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, had said it was a privilege to host them. Gautam Adani said the discussions with the envoys focused on strengthening global partnerships to drive India's energy transition and accelerate the hydrogen ecosystem. "It was a privilege to host the ambassadors from the EU, Belgium, Denmark and Germany at our office. I deeply appreciate their visit to the world's largest renewable energy park in Khavda, Gujarat, and India's largest port, logistics and industrial hub in Mundra," the Adani Group Chairman had posted on social media platform X. The discussions were "truly insightful, focusing on strengthening global partnerships to drive India's energy transition and accelerate the hydrogen ecosystem,' said the billionaire industrialist, adding: "At Adani, we continue to drive forward with our ambitious renewable energy initiatives while ensuring a balanced energy mix that supports a sustainable future for all of India". Svane further said he was so pleased when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Denmark, and "we could really take the green strategic partnership forward, which is so important". "I do hope that it will also inspire others because what can be done bilaterally is not enough. It calls for a kind of global action, like the fight against terror," Svane told IANS. PM Modi paid an official visit to Denmark on May 3-4, 2022 and had bilateral talks with his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen. During the talks, the two Prime Ministers reviewed the progress of India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Put Pakistan where it belongs - on FATF grey list: Former Danish Ambassador
Copenhagen/New Delhi: Lauding India's Operation Sindoor and the ongoing diplomatic outreach mission, a seasoned diplomat from Denmark on Sunday advocated the international community to take a strong action against Pakistan, including by putting the country back on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for its continuous involvement in terror financing and backing global terror outfits. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Freddy Svane, the former Danish Ambassador to India, said that it is high time for the world to acknowledge that Pakistan remains the epicentre of terrorism in the region. "Terror doesn't come out of the blue. It's something that has to be financed, structured and so forth. So, it's a long, concerted action that lies behind all this terror. Therefore, you need to do whatever you can globally, also regionally, to ensure that we don't have financing that will flow into the streams of terror. It has to stop. Pakistan has to be put where it belongs. So, they have to be put on that list, no doubt about that," Svane told IANS. Svane, a well-travelled and highly experienced diplomat, served as the Ambassador to India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives twice, first from 2010 to 2015 and then in another stint which ended in December 2024. Having spent so much time in India, he witnessed Pakistan unleashing terror on India on several occasions. "I lived in India, as you all know, for 10 years, over two periods of time. We lived with terror and felt the impact. Obviously, we all knew that Pakistan was behind them one way or another. You might argue that there are different faces in Pakistan, there's the political and also the army. But, when it boils down to terror, there can't be two faces. There's only one ugly face, and we know that Pakistan has been instigating a lot of terror attacks against India. Sadly, with this incident in Pahalgam, the time is really ripe for a conscious joint and coordinated response to terror and thereby also calling out on Pakistan," he said. Heaping praise on India's ongoing diplomatic outreach to several countries by sending all-party delegations, the former Ambassador believes that New Delhi has sent a very strong message to the world that it will, from now on, not tolerate any heinous act of terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. "The fact that all-party delegations are sent to countries in various parts of the world just to speak about Operation Sindoor and the atrocities proves that it is time now to stand up against terror and the way in which Pakistan, almost throughout its lifetime, has instigated terror attacks. India has shown that it has grown and is a global player, a very, very important player and that India can take action," Svane remarked. The former diplomat also met an all-party delegation led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, which was in Copenhagen from May 29-31, to convey India's unwavering stance against terrorism and its resolve to obliterate every trace of it. "I think it's very important that the message that you are going to spread is listened to, heard, and action is taken on it. Therefore, I am pleased, having also served as Ambassador to India for more than 10 years, that India has on the backdrop of this really, really sad and deadly, inhumane Pahalgam incident, now stands up and speaks against terror. We all need to really move away from words towards actions. Therefore, the decision of the government of India, of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to send a group of parliamentarians across the globe to speak about how do we jointly fight terror is so important and very well received, also here in Denmark," he said "I asked some of the visiting Indian parliamentarians if it is a new thing, as I had never in my life experienced that India would be sending such all-party delegations across the globe to voice its concerns about terror and the impact of terror. I was told something similar was done decades ago. But the fact that India is now standing up on this is important. It will give India a special role and a special place because India now stands up against terror. That's a new normal, and nobody should be in any doubt of what will happen if terror is not stopped. We are working closely together, as a world and as one big family," Svane added.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Time to stand shoulder to shoulder": Former Danish Ambassador praises India's all-party delegation's efforts
Copenhagen [Denmark], May 30 (ANI): Freddy Svane, former Danish Ambassador to India, on Friday lauded the all-party delegation's initiative to raise awareness about terrorism globally. He appreciated their efforts to convey the message that terror must be fought collectively. Svane expressed support for India's stance against Pakistan, emphasising the need for collective action against terrorism, saying 'Pakistan has to be called out for atrocities.' Speaking to ANI, Svane said, 'We have this all-party delegation visiting Denmark is just really securing that we not only are listening but we also talk and we have a dialogue, and now it's time for us to stand shoulder to shoulder to take action.' 'Pakistan has to be called out for atrocties and Pakistan has to be brought to justice. So, the rope is very short, and be afraid if you don't follow what India has told you,' he added. Further, the former envoy strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, describing it as 'inhuman' and stating that it 'should not be allowed.' Svane said, 'I saw a lot of the videos and this kind of thing where you are checking what is your faith and then you are either being killed if you have the in their view, a different and wrong faith or you survived. That's so inhuman and should not be allowed.' Svane also praised India's response to the attack, stating, 'I also praised in Danish media, the resolute actions by said to the instigators and Pakistan - stop this, if not, then you will face even stronger consequences. So, all my praises for a resolute and very action-driven response to terror.' He also praised India's efforts to combat terrorism, highlighting the importance of global cooperation. Svane said, 'I think it was really outstanding to have this interaction with the all-party delegation coming to all the countries in Europe and across the world, willing to explain that terror has to come to an end; we have to fight it, we have to stand shoulder to shoulder.' Svane emphasized that terrorism cannot coexist with trade and diplomacy, stressing the need for nations to stand together against this threat. He commended the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi for taking the initiative to engage with global leaders on this critical issue. 'You can't have blood and water together, you can't have trade and terror together, and therefore, we need to stand up. I am really happy to see that the Government of India and PM Modi took this initiative to convey the message to all of our Speakers,' he added. Meanwhile, Former Danish Minister Manu Sareen also spoke to ANI, expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism. Sareen said, 'India is not standing alone against terrorism. We all stand beside India. We will help each other.' Sareen emphasised the importance of raising awareness about terrorism, and affirmed, 'I have a family in India... They have been telling me what happens in India. They have told me about the terror attacks, and so many people have died in terror attacks, and nobody knows that in Denmark... Awareness regarding this is very important, and it starts today.' Further, Sareen emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the situation between India and Pakistan, particularly regarding terrorism. Sareen said, 'The most important thing is the awareness about what's happening between India and Pakistan... If you want to change the narrative and understand from the European perspective, you should know what is happening. It's a very important delegation.' Regarding Operation Sindoor, Sareen stated, 'India had to do what India had to do... The terror attack was so cruel... And I like what the delegation said: enough is enough. They are starting an awareness campaign about what really happened. Because we've read something in the newspapers, but having it from the delegation is very important.' Former Danish MP Niels Ahlmann-Ohlsen welcomed a strong delegation from the Indian parliament, expressing solidarity with India against terrorism. Ahlmann-Ohlsen said, 'It is a big day for democracy in Denmark that our democratic big brother... India comes forward. It's the first time we have seen such a strong delegation from your parliament coming over, expressing your concerns about these horrible terrorist attacks... It binds us together.' Ohlsen emphasised the need for like-minded countries to stand together against terrorism, stating, 'If somebody cruelly attacks your house, we have to respond. And this is what some of these terrorist groups have never understood, that it has a price... People who try to undermine democracy should pay the price.' He also highlighted the importance of democracies fighting back against terrorism, saying, 'We have to fight back together. We are really grateful that we have like-minded friends in India.' Further, Ohlsen emphasised the importance of close cooperation between Denmark and India in combating terrorism. Ahlmann-Ohlsen said, 'It is important that our intelligence services work closely together, that we exchange vital information whenever we see something going to happen in our respective backyards.' He highlighted the significance of intelligence sharing in today's fast-paced world, stating, 'That's a very important thing because these days, things go very fast on social media. But intelligence services can go even faster... We can work so closely with India in that area. That will also dampen down the enthusiasm among terrorists. I'm very sure of that...' Currently, the all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, is in Denmark. Earlier in the day, the delegation held a series of high-level engagements in Denmark on Friday, receiving strong expressions of solidarity in the global fight against terrorism and deepening bilateral relations. During the visit, the delegation met with top Danish leaders, including Christian Friis Bach, Chairperson of the Danish Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee, and MP Trine Pertou Mach. Friis Bach expressed heartfelt condolences over recent terror incidents and affirmed Denmark's unwavering support for India. In a diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, the Modi government has formed seven multi-party delegations to inform nations about Pakistan's links to terrorism and India's strong message of zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Seven all-party delegations are taking part in various outreach programmes in their countries they are assigned to. The delegation aims to brief international partners on India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and its broader fight against cross-border terrorism while engaging with leaders in France, the UK, Germany, the EU, Italy, and Denmark. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pak-sponsored terrorists in which 26 people were killed. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The seven group of delegations will visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria, the UK, France, Germany, the EU, Italy, Denmark, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, the UAE, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, the US, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia, Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, and South Africa. (ANI)
