India and Portugal signed seven agreements on Saturday pledging cooperation in defence, agriculture, marine research, renewable energy and information technology sectors to boost ties following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Portugal Premier Antonio Costa.
During the talks, Portugal also supported India’s endeavour in seeking a ban on terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. The decision on the ban on the Pakistan-based militant is currently under ‘technical hold’ by China.
In a strong-worded joint statement after the talks, India and Portugal urged the international community to effectively implement the measures enumerated by the 1267 UN Sanctions Committee (that is looking at Azhar’s ban application) in combating terrorism. In an indirect reference to China, the two sides called upon the global community to ‘desist’ from using ‘double standards’ in addressing the scourge of terrorism. China is the only country out of 15 in the Sanctions Committee that is objecting the ban on Azhar.
While stressing on strengthening cooperation in combating international terrorism by showing ‘zero tolerance’ towards it, Modi and Costa underlined that countries should refrain from supporting terror entities including 'non-State actors' on any grounds.
They added that violent extremism fueled by misuse of internet and the social media needs to be countered and networks of terrorist financing and terrorist infrastructure should be dismantled.
Modi also sought Portugal’s help for development of football in India. Modi said that Portugal's strength in football and the rapid development of this sport in India could well form the nucleus of an emerging partnership. Efforts are on to institutionalise collaboration between football clubs of India and Portugal in training and exchange of students and coaches and holding of soccer camps.
Interestingly, Costa gifted Modi the Portugal football team's jersey personally autographed by its star world footballer of the year Cristiano Ronaldo. Modi, in turn, gifted Costa his father Orlando Costa's novel translated in English from Portuguese while recalling his contribution in enriching Goan and Indo-Portuguese literature.
“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,” Modi said in a media statement after his talks with Costa.
Costa is the chief guest of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that will be inaugurated in Bengaluru on Sunday. He will later attend the Vibrant Gujarat conclave before visiting Goa. “We will have the privilege to celebrate your outstanding accomplishments as a distinguished leader who has family roots in India," Modi underlined.
The agreement on defence will focus on exchanges between two countries including those related to education and training of defence personnel. The two sides will also cooperate on maritime security, UN peacekeeping operations, and defence industries. Underscoring the substantial opportunities in India’s defence sector and the niche technological competencies of the Portuguese defence industry, Modi invited Portuguese companies to ‘Make in India’ and set up Joint Ventures and commercial partnerships based on joint production and technology transfer.
In order to encourage Portuguese investments into India, Modi assured that Invest India would provide special hand-holding and facilitation for Portuguese investors. On his part, Costa committed to an expeditious processing of visas to Indian startups and businesses keen to set up operations in Portugal.
Apart from its consistent support for India's permanent membership of the UN Security Council, Portugal has also backed India in its membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.