India and Portugal successfully concluded the 4th round of their Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi. The consultations, aimed at fostering diplomatic dialogue and cooperation between the two nations, covered a range of bilateral and multilateral issues.

The 4th round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Portugal was co-chaired by Sanjay Verma, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs for India, and Ambassador Rui Vinhas, Director General for Foreign Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Portugal.

During the 4th round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Portugal, the two sides extensively reviewed bilateral relations, emphasizing the outcomes of discussions that transpired during the visit of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Portugal in October 2023.

The FOC primarily delved into political relations, fostering deeper trade and investment ties, collaboration in defense, science and technology, energy, tourism, diplomatic training, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people relations.

Both nations underscored the importance of promptly implementing the pilot project concerning the recruitment of Indian citizens to work in the Portuguese Republic and organizing the inaugural India-Portugal Consular Dialogue, according to a release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Moreover, the consultations encompassed talks on the joint commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations scheduled for 2025. The officials took stock of the ongoing collaboration between India and Portugal concerning the development of the Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat.

The two nations expressed satisfaction about the upcoming meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence scheduled for February 2024 and agreed to promptly organize the next Joint Economic Commission.

Additionally, they advocated for the timely scheduling of the JWG on Agriculture and Renewable Energy. The discussions also covered plans for undertaking projects through triangular cooperation, as mentioned in the official release.

Both nations conducted a comprehensive review of agreements currently under negotiation, encompassing areas like air connectivity, youth mobility, visa waivers for official passport holders, and mutual recognition of academic qualifications.

The discussions extended to addressing global and regional challenges, with a focus on issues such as Gaza and Ukraine. The two countries affirmed their commitment to robust collaboration in various multilateral fora, including the United Nations, as indicated in the official release.

India and Portugal, bound by shared principles of democracy and sustainable development, maintain enduring and friendly bilateral relations marked by frequent high-level exchanges. The forthcoming fifth Foreign Office Consultations is scheduled to be held in Lisbon on a date mutually agreed upon by both nations.

Image source: ANI