New Delhi, March 18 -- Ambassador of Iceland to India, Benedikt Hoskuldsson hailed the steps taken by Government of India towards promoting gender parity and empowerment and said that Iceland looks forward to further deepening cooperation in this area with India.

In an interview to ANI, Ambassador Hoskuldsson said, "We take gender very seriously, it's a part of our identity and our society."

He said that he observed in India that gender is a very important part of the society. "We all need to strive for better equality."

Ambassador Hoskuldsson noted that with events such as partnerships between India and Iceland, along with the United Nations, "we can actually achieve gender equality much sooner."

"I am very proud and happy to be here...