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Updated: November 4, 2025 03:53 STI
Lisbon (Portugal), November 4 (ANI): India and Portugal held the fifth round of Foreign Affairs Consultations (FOC) in Lisbon, where both sides reviewed the overall bilateral relationship and discussed key regional and global developments.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared details of the meeting on X, noting that the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Secretary (West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sibi George, led the Indian delegation, while the Portuguese side was represented by Helena Malceta, Director General of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.
“Secretary (West) @AmbSibiGeorge called on HE Ms. Ana Isable Xavier @aixavier, Secretary of State of Portugal during her visit to Lisbon. He also held the 5th round of consultations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India and Portugal with Ms. Helena Malceta, Director General of Foreign Policy. Both sides reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations between India and Portugal and discussed India-EU relations, issues of mutual interest, including regional and global developments,” MEA said in an article on X on Monday.
Secretary (West) @AmbSibiGeorge called HE Mrs. Ana Isable Xavier @aixavierSecretary of State of Portugal during his visit to Lisbon. He also organized the 5th round of consultations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India and Portugal with Ms. Helena Malceta, Director General of Foreign Policy. Both… pic.twitter.com/NYY0aEETS8
– Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 3, 2025
During the discussions, the two sides exchanged views on political, economic, cultural and technological cooperation and explored ways to further deepen their engagement in emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital innovation, startups and maritime partnership.
As part of his visit, Ambassador Sibi George also visited the Portuguese Secretary of State, Ana Isabel Xavier. The meeting focused on strengthening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in the areas of trade, education and mobility.
India’s relations with Portugal have always been warm and friendly. Diplomatic ties were established in 1949 and the two countries share a bond that dates back over 500 years, when Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first arrived in Calicut (now Kozhikode), Kerala, in 1498. Over the years, Portugal has consistently supported India’s bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and its inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, in line with the MEA.
Portugal also played a key role in launching the first India-EU summit. The idea was proposed during the tenure of current UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was then Prime Minister of Portugal. The first India-EU summit was then held in Lisbon in 2000 during the Portuguese presidency of the European Union and was attended by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The latest consultations come at a time when India and the European Union are working to advance the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). A high-level team of EU negotiators is currently in New Delhi from November 3-7, 2025 to hold negotiations aimed at resolving key issues and moving towards a balanced trade framework that benefits both sides, according to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
This follows Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal’s recent visit to Brussels (October 27-28), where he held talks with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate negotiations and build a comprehensive trade and investment partnership. (ANI)
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