New Delhi—India’s Health Minister, J P Nadda, met Norway’s Health Minister, Jan Christian Vestre, on Monday at a Delhi meeting. The two leaders talked about India’s top health priorities, including digital health, training health workers, nutrition for mothers and children, and joint research on diseases. Nadda also pushed for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in health, medicine and drug regulation.
On X, Nadda wrote, “Met with Mr. Jan Christian Vestre, Health Minister of Norway, in New Delhi today. I proposed signing of MoUs for furthering our collaboration in health and medicine as well as drug regulation. Discussed India’s priorities in digital health, human resource development, maternal and child nutrition and collaborative research on diseases. Looking forward to advancing our healthcare partnership and further deepening bilateral relations between our two countries.”
Norway’s ambassador to India, May Elin Stener, welcomed Vestre to Delhi and highlighted his focus on health collaboration. In a video shared on X, Vestre said, “Dear friends, it’s wonderful to be back in India. Last year I visited as Norway’s Minister of Trade several times. This time I’m returning as Minister of Health and Care Services, looking forward to deepening our collaboration in the health sector. I am very excited to attend the Bengaluru Tech Summit tomorrow and to connect with partners shaping the future of healthcare and innovation.”
The ambassador added, “Excited to welcome Norway’s Minister of Health and Care Services Jan Christian Vestre back to India. His programme includes high‑level meetings, engagements on digital health and innovation, and participation in Bengaluru Tech Summit.”
Earlier in October the Norway‑India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) held its annual meeting. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava chaired the event, while Ambassador Stener co‑chaired. The meeting reviewed the 2025 progress report and budget plans for NIPI’s Phase IV, which supports India’s National Health Mission in Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir.
Srivastava said, “NIPI shows how convergence of efforts can yield results. The government of India is also working with states and union territories through a whole‑of‑government approach to achieve desired outcomes.” She noted India’s role as a testing ground for innovation and its commitment to share best practices.
Speaking at the event, Stener celebrated the 20th anniversary of the partnership. “We have introduced innovative and catalytic interventions that have brought significant results. Note that India has invested 26 times more than Norway under this initiative, underscoring the importance we place on our collaboration,” she said.
NIPI, founded on an agreement between the Norwegian and Indian governments, aims to meet India’s National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals. It provides strategic, catalytic and innovative support to the health ministries of partner states. The partnership has completed three phases and is now operating its fourth phase, offering technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and regional health missions.
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