India-Portugal Eye Jobs & Defence Collabs

The 4th Foreign Office Consultations between India and Portugal took place in New Delhi on January 31, 2024, marking a significant step in bolstering bilateral relations between the two countries. This pivotal meeting was co-chaired by Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary(West) from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Rui Vinhas, Director General for Foreign Policy at Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions encompassed a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, focusing on enhancing political relations, deepening trade and investment, and fostering cooperation across various domains such as defence, science and technology, energy, tourism, and culture. Rui Vinhas was warmly welcomed by Meenakshi Lekhi, the Indian Minister of Culture as well, where they engaged in discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the cultural sector.

This engagement follows the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Portugal in October 2023, where both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade ties and expanding defence cooperation. Trade between India and Portugal from January to September 2022 reached €1,057.84 million, with a trade balance favouring India, highlighting the robust economic engagement between the two countries.

The consultations aimed to advance collaboration in key areas, notably through the early implementation of a pilot project for the recruitment of Indian citizens to work in Portugal. This initiative is expected to facilitate the movement of skilled workers, offering new opportunities in the European Union for Indian professionals and reinforcing people-to-people connections, further enriched by the significant Portuguese communities in Indian cities like Goa and Chennai.

The nations also anticipated the upcoming Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence scheduled for February 2024 and called for the swift organisation of JWGs on agriculture and renewable energy. Additionally, the talks reviewed ongoing negotiations on agreements concerning air connectivity, youth mobility, visa waivers, and the mutual recognition of academic qualifications, underscoring the multifaceted cooperation and shared ambitions of India and Portugal.