| Prez Murmu's visit: India, Portugal agree to deepen trade & investment ties | | |
Agencies
LISBON, Apr 7: India and Portugal have agreed to deepen bilateral ties, particularly in trade and investment, renewable energy and connectivity, as President Droupadi Murmu and her Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa held talks here on Monday.
During the talks held at the Portuguese President's official residence, Palácio de Belém, the two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
"We also discussed global and regional issues of common interest. We resolved to build further on our long-standing bilateral ties, especially in trade and investment, science and technology, information and digital technologies, renewable energy, connectivity and mobility, and to promote people-to-people contacts further," Murmu said.
Her visit comes in the backdrop of significant global economic change, with trade tariffs recently imposed by the US reshaping international commerce and India's growing engagement with Europe.
Trade between India and Portugal is valued at USD 1.5 billion and has been growing steadily, with a 50 per cent increase over the last five years.
A statement issued after their meeting said the two leaders discussed "all important aspects of our bilateral relationship".
President Murmu, who is on a two-day State Visit to Portugal, held a tete-a-tete with her Portuguese counterpart followed by delegation-level talks during which all matters pertaining to "mutual interests" were discussed.
"We agreed to strengthen our coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral fora," she said.
The President said she had "a constructive and productive meeting" with President Marcelo Rebelo.
"I was happy to launch jointly with the President of Portugal, the commemorative stamps on the occasion of the golden jubilee of our diplomatic relations," she said.
The "historic visit" is taking place 27 years after the last visit by an Indian President to Portugal at a time when both countries are celebrating 50 years of re-establishment of diplomatic relations.
The two leaders also jointly released commemorative stamps, beautifully highlighting the vibrant traditional costumes of both countries. The stamps feature a Portuguese woman elegantly dressed in the vivid red 'Viana do Castelo' festive attire, alongside an Indian woman adorned in the intricately embroidered Black Kalbelia dress.
Murmu will also meet Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and President of the Parliament José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and attend the ceremony of Handing over of keys to the Lisbon Cit at the Lisbon City Council.
|
|
