Lisbon, June 24: India and Portugal Saturday announced a four million euros joint fund to bolster research in science and technology as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in-depth talks with his Portuguese counterpart on cooperation in areas like counter-terrorism, space, climate studies and start-ups.
In a joint address to the media after signing 11 bilateral agreements, Modi and Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who traces his origin to Goa, said the two countries have made substantial progress since Costa visited India in January.
The agreements signed Saturday included cooperation in outer space, double taxation avoidance, nano technology, improving cultural ties, youth and sports, higher education, scientific research, and setting up of a Portugal-India Business Hub and an Indian Chamber of Commerce here.
“The Portuguese economic rebound and strong Indian growth offer excellent opportunities for us to grow together,” Modi, the first Indian prime minister in Portugal on a bilateral visit, said.
“We are also determined to deepen our cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism,” he said and thanked Lisbon for its “consistent support” for India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council and multilateral export control regimes.
Speaking on collaboration in cutting-edge technology, Modi announced the setting up of a joint science and technology fund of four million euros. “Our economic ties continue to follow an upward trajectory, and we can do more for the flow of goods, services, capital and human resources,” he said, adding that bilateral trade has grown 17 per cent in the past one year.
These pacts are expected to promote India’s ties with Portugal towards the establishment of a unique centre on the Azores Archipelago – the Atlantic International Research Centre, which will act as an innovation hub for trans-atlantic and north-south cooperation.PTI
