HELSINKI: Finland views India as an important economic partner and is keen on deepening its cooperation with it in key sectors, particularly Information Technology (IT), textiles, handicrafts and tourism. Bilateral ties will get a boost with the coming visit of Finland President Tarja Halonen to New Delhi from January 20 to 24.

"There is a very fast growing interest in India, be it business, culture or Information Technology. The focus about India is very positive," she told The Hindu here.

President Halonen makes no secret of her admirationfor Bollywood movies and dance, which are catching up "very fast" among Finns. She even smilingly suggests that Bollywood movies could be shot in Finland, a picturesque land of about 1,90,000 lakes and scenic locales, where days can be as long as 18 hours during summer.

She feels that Finland, though "very small" with just 5.2 million people, could become a strategic partner of India for expanding its business and trade in Nordic countries and other countries of the European Union (EU), which now has 27 members.

During her visit, she will meet President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. She will address the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. The high-level delegation, accompanying her, will include Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen and top business leaders.

Finland played host to the EU-India Summit in October last during its presidency of the EU, which it laid down on December 31, 2006 after the six-month rotating term. If the EU presidency helped Finland boost its international image and showcase its capabilities as an efficient, high-tech and stylish country, the summit, also addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was instrumental in keeping the focus on India.

"We had very successful meetings during the EU-India business summit in October when Dr. Singh visited Finland. We are very keen to continue our cooperation with India. You know a small nation like ours can only compete with quality and expertise," said Ms. Halonen, the first woman to have occupied the top post of President in Finland ever since the north European nation gave equal rights to women 100 years ago. She entered the second six-year term in office last year having been elected in 2000. Finland is in the grip of hectic political activity as the country prepares for parliamentary elections this March.

During the hour-long freewheeling interview in the Presidential Palace, Ms. Halonen touched upon issues of immigration, globalisation, human rights, EU concerns about energy, the latest U.S. plan in Iraq, the need for strengthening multilateral institutions as well as Bollywood movies and dance.

Describing India as the biggest democracy and a country with a "fantastic history that interests our people," she said: "India's one billion plus population has people with all kinds of identities and different cultures that make it a complicated place to work. In that sense, China has been slightly easier for European enterprise. But India remains an important partner of EU member-countries and it will develop very positively. India's negotiations in World Trade Organisation show that you are not an easy case."

Appearing confident that Finland, with its well-educated, English-speaking working class, would continue to remain an important country for India for doing business, she said Indian enterprises, particularly its sophisticated IT, were "very interesting." Indian textiles market was not only "very fashionable" but also very strong traditionally. Along with Indian handicrafts, it had the potential to chart an impressive growth.

Human rights

Expressing concern over violation of human rights through gender and religious discrimination, Ms. Halonen said terrorism and armed conflicts were affecting today's world. In her December 31, 2006 speech while laying down EU Presidency, she had said that Finland must reconsider its immigration policy. "Though Finland has a very small percentage of immigrants, they cannot be seen only as a labour force. They are human beings as well and immigrants can be made a positive factor."

On the conflict in Iraq, she said her concern was about building sustainable peace in the war-ravaged nation. "Reaction of American citizens after 9/11 terror attacks are quite understandable, the U.S. has to be ready for strengthening multilateral systems in the world."

Ms. Halonen expressed concern over well-educated young people becoming "suicide bombers" and felt that all reasons behind terrorism should be addressed.

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