India and Portugal discuss deepening of bilateral trade and investment
| 2024-01-31
The 4th India-Portugal Foreign Office Consultations was held in New Delhi on December 31, 2024.
India & Portugal stressed on early implementation of pilot project on the Recruitment of Indian Citizens to work in the Portuguese Republic
India and Portugal discussed deepening of trade and investment in addition to cooperation in defence during the 4th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in New Delhi on December 31, 2024.
"The FoC focused on political relations, deepening of trade and investment, cooperation in defence, science and technology, energy, tourism, training of diplomats, culture and people to people relations," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said after the meeting.
According to the MEA, India and Portugal also stressed on early implementation of the pilot project on the Recruitment of Indian Citizens to work in the Portuguese Republic as well as holding of the first India - Portugal Consular Dialogue.
Additionally, both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation between India and Portugal on the development of the Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat.
According to the MEA, during the meeting:
1. Both sides expressed happiness at the forthcoming meeting of JWG on Defence in February 2024, and decided to hold the next Joint Economic Commission at an early date.
2. They also called for early scheduling of JWG on Agriculture and Renewable energy.
3. Discussions were also held on undertaking projects through triangular cooperation.
4. A review of agreements under negotiation including on air connectivity, youth mobility, visa waiver for official passport holders and mutual recognition of academic qualifications was also undertaken.
The 5th FoC will be held in Lisbon on a mutually convenient date, the MEA said.
The 4th FOC builds on discussions held during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's official visit to Portugal on October 31-November 1, 2023.
At delegation-level talks between EAM Jaishankar and Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho, the two sides agreed on the implementation of Standard Operating Procedure for a pilot project for realising full benefits of agreement on the Recruitment of Indian Citizens to work in the Portuguese Republic. They also decided to begin an India-Portugal Consular Dialogue.
The discussions focused on trade and investment as well as the growing potential in several sectors including IT, health and pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, defence industry, start-ups and mobility of youth, professionals and skilled workers.
India and Portugal share historic and friendly bilateral relations with shared values of democracy and sustainable development, strengthened by frequent high-level exchanges.
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