Why in News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks with his Portuguese counterpart on cooperation in areas like counter-terrorism, space, climate studies and start-ups.
Signed 11 bilateral agreements
- India-Portugal Space Alliance partnering with ISRO and Portuguese Foundation for Science & Technology (FCT)
- Protocol amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income
- MoU on Nano Technology
- MoU on Public Administration and Governance Reforms
- MoU on Cultural Cooperation
- MoU on Youth and Sports between
- MoU on Cooperation in the fields of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- MoU Between Agência para o Investimento e Comércio Externo de Portugal, E.P.E. (Aicep Portugal Global – Trade & Investment Agency) and PIBHub – Portugal India Business Hub
- Memorandum of Understanding between Portugal India Business Hub & Reira Group/Goa Desk
- MoU on Biotechnology
- Memorandum of Understanding between Portugal India Business Hub & Indian Chamber of Commerce
Relation History
Relations between India and Portugal began amicably in 1947 after India’s independence and diplomatic relations were established in 1949. Bilateral ties however went into decline after 1950 over Portugal’s refusal to surrender its enclaves of Goa, Daman Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli on India’s west coast. By 1955, the two nations had cut off diplomatic relations, triggering a crisis which precipitated in the Indian annexation of Portuguese India in 1961. Portugal refused to recognise Indian sovereignty over the annexed territories until 1974 when, following the Carnation Revolution, the new government in Lisbon recognised Indian sovereignty with the signing of a treaty in New Delhi in December 1974, bilateral relations were restored.