India and Portugal have signed six memorandum of understandings (MoUs) including in defence cooperation.
These agreements were signed after delegation level talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Portugal counterpart António Costa who is chief Guest of 2017 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
Six agreements signed are
- MoU on Defence.
- MoU on Renewable Energy.
- MoU on Marine Research and Resources.
- MoU in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
- MoU in the field of Information Technology and Electronics.
- MoU on the establishment of an ICCR Chair of Indian Studies in University of Lisbon.
Besides, an agreement on visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports was also signed. It allows visa free travel for diplomatic passport holders of India and Portugal to each other’s countries for short term visits. The defence agreement between both countries aims to boost joint production and development of niche weapons systems. It was signed following Portugal’s support to India’s multilateral plans in various technology regimes including Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in which India secured membership in 2016.