Prime Minister António Costa is is India drumming up trade and signing agreements duringa seven day State visit. One agreement is that India and Portugal will work out a co-production agreement in the film sector to run for a fixed period.
A further agreement between the public broadcasters of both the countries to share best practices and cooperate in technical and content related matters also was discussed at a meeting in New Delhi between India’s Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, and Portugal’s Minister of Culture, Luís Filipe Castro Mendes.
During the deliberations, Col. Rathore informed the Portuguese minister about on the Indian government’s initiative to encourage foreign film producers through the Film Facilitation Office. He also highlighted the National Film Heritage Mission which is digitising, restoring and preserving India’s the film heritage.
The ministers discussed also the possibility of a student exchange programme between educational institutions in both the countries.
Portugal’s Prime Minister is scgeduled to meet the Indian media's finest in Goa on January 12th, in an event to which many film producers have been invited.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has appreciated the Portuguese PM’s support for India's bid for permanent membership of United Nations Security Council, currently blocked by China.
Modi added that partnerships being forged between Start-up Portugal and Start-up India will help both the countries in their mutual quest to innovate and progress, adding that the infrastructure, waste and water management, solar, wind energy and innovation sectors, all are full of opportunities to build strong commercial ties between two economies.
A total of six Memoranda of Understanding have been signed between India and Portugal, including one on defence cooperation.
Speaking on the relationship between the two countries, Modi said that he had an extensive discussion with the Costa in which they had reviewed the full range of India-Portugal ties.
The Indian PM said that the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation would assist in harnessing the respective strengths of both the countries, for mutual benefit.
Both leaders called for eradicating terrorist infrastructure and safe havens and asked for the adoption of UN’s Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
“We also decided that both nations must focus on an action-oriented approach to realise the full potential of economic opportunities in our partnership. The agreements signed today are just one indication of our shared resolve to do exactly that,” said the Indian PM.
In the last leg of his visit to India, António Costa will be in Goa on 11-12 January, where he will meet the Governor and the Chief Minister, leaving him sufficient time to tour the area to which his roots can be traced.
Media Statement by Prime Minister during the State visit of Prime Minister of Portugal to India (January 07, 2017)
January 07, 2017
Your Excellency, Prime Minister Antonio Costa,
Distinguished delegates,
Members of the media,
Friends,
Good Evening, to you all.
Excellency,
It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you and your delegation to India.This may be your first State Visit to India, but you are neither a stranger to India, nor is India unfamiliar to you.So, in addition to extending a warm welcome on this chilly evening, I must also say, Welcome Back! We are deeply honoured that you have accepted our invitation to be the Chief Guest at our Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the Indian Diaspora Day celebrations, in Bengaluru. Tomorrow, we will have the privilege to celebrate your outstanding accomplishments as a distinguished leader who has family roots in India. I also wish to congratulate you for the several successes that Portugal has had under your Prime Ministership. Under your leadership, the Portuguese economy is on a steady course and right direction.
Friends,
India and Portugal have built a modern bilateral partnership on the foundation of a shared historical connect.Our partnership is also strengthened by a strong convergence on global issues, including at the United Nations. In my extensive discussions with Prime Minister Costa today, we reviewed the full range of India–Portugal ties across various sectors. We agreed that the two countries must focus on action oriented approach to realize the full potential of economic opportunities in our partnership. The agreements signed today are just one indication of our shared resolve to do exactly that.
Friends,
Expansion and deepening of trade, investment, and business partnerships between our two countries is our shared priority. Areas of infrastructure, waste and water management, solar and wind energy, and innovation are full of opportunities to build strong commercial ties between our two economies.Our experiences of creating an ecosystem for start-ups could be an exciting area of bilateral engagement. It offers unique possibilities for building a rewarding partnership between our young business entrepreneurs that creates both value and wealth for both our societies.I am confident that the partnership being forged between Start-up Portugal and Start-up India will help us in our mutual quest to innovate and progress. Prime Minister Costa and I also agreed to deepen our partnership in the field of security and defence.The MoU on Defence cooperation signed today will help us harness our respective strengths in this field for mutual benefit.Sports is another area that holds promise for our bilateral ties. We are aware, Excellency, that you are an avid soccer fan. Portugal's strength in football and the rapid development of this sport in India could well form the nucleus of an emerging partnership in sporting disciplines.
Friends,
India and Portugal share common views on many international issues. I thanked Prime Minister Costa for Portugal’s consistent support for India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council. We are also grateful for the support extended by Portugal to India’s membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime, and for its continued support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. We also discussed the need for the global community to take strong and urgent action against the rapidly growing and widely spreading threats of violence and terror.
Excellency,
India and Portugal share a common cultural canvas.We deeply appreciate the contribution of your father, Orlando Costa, to enriching this space and to Goan and Indo-Portuguese literature. Today, we have released a commemorative stamp celebrating two dance forms. These two art forms, one Portuguese and the other Indian, are wonderful examples of our cultural affinities.
Excellency,
You have an exciting agenda of engagements and travels in India over the next couple of days.I wish you and your delegation the very best for stay and experience in Bengaluru, Gujarat and Goa.I especially wish that you have a memorable visit to Goa and are able to reconnect with your ancestral roots.
Thank You.
Thank You very much.
