India and Norway have signed agreement on exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports in Oslo.

This agreement was signed in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg. Our correspondent reports that this Agreement will help to promote bilateral relations by facilitating the travel of diplomatic and official passport holders to the territory of the two countries.

Apart from this, eleven Memorandums of Understanding- MoUs has also been inked between the two countries in the field of education, research, science and technology.

One Statement of Intent has also been signed between Defence and research Organisation- DRDO of India and Norwegian Defence Research institute.

On this occasion, President Mukherjee expressed his confidence that Norwegian industry will make full use of the new investment opportunities that now present themselves in India.

He said, the coming together of India’s large talent pool and technological and financial investments from Norway can well catapult our economic relationship to a new high.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg said that Norway is increasing its diplomatic presence in India. Talking to media persons in Oslo today, she said that Norway will set up a new consulate general office in Mumbai.

Ms Erna Solberg also said that there is a great potential of exploring business in different sectors like energy, maritime, seafood etc in India.

President Pranab Mukherjee is on a six day visit to Norway and Finland. He is first ever Indian head of the state to visit Norway.