EAM S Jaishankar, Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel hold talks on strengthening bilateral ties and global cooperation

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held delegation-level talks with Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel in New Delhi yesterday. During the talks, the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties including trade and investment, defence, science and technology, tourism, culture, and people-to-people ties. They also noted the growing potential for collaboration in sectors such as IT, startups and innovation, renewable energy, green hydrogen and migration and mobility of youth, skilled workers and professionals. Both Ministers also exchanged views on global and regional developments of mutual interest. They agreed to continue the existing close cooperation in regional and multilateral fora including at the United Nations. 

Dr. Jaishankar thanked Mr Rangel for Portugal’s continued support to India’s Permanent membership in the UN Security Council and for strengthening India-EU ties. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said, as India and Portugal will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, in this regard, both Ministers agreed to commemorate this milestone in a befitting manner. During the visit, Foreign Minister Rangel also met with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Mr Rangel will visit Goa where he is expected to meet with the Governor and Chief Minister of the state. Portugal’s Foreign Minister Rangel arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a four-day visit to India. This is his first official visit to India.

Later, in a social media post, Dr Jaishankar said, during the meeting, they took stock of the partnership and explored new opportunities in clean energy, technology, digital, mobility, heritage and maritime domains. The two leaders also exchanged views on West Asia, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific. The External Affairs Minister also appreciated both the countries’ multilateral cooperation and Portugal’s support for stronger India-EU ties. 

Akashvani correspondent reports that the bilateral ties between India and Portugal got a renewed push and momentum after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Portugal Luis Montenegro last month, during the G20 Summit at Rio in Brazil.  The visit of Portugal’s Foreign Minister is expected to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and give impetus to the ongoing transformation of this historical relationship to a forward looking contemporary partnership.