The fifth session of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Portugal and India took place in Lisbon, where both countries examined their whole bilateral relationship and talked about important regional and international issues.
Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, provided information about the meeting on X, stating that both parties discussed bilateral relations and offered opinions on regional and international matters of shared interest.
The Portuguese mission was led by Helena Malceta, Director General of Foreign Policy at Portugal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Indian team was led by Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
"During his visit to Lisbon, Secretary (West) @AmbSibiGeorge called on HE Ms. Ana Isable Xavier @aixavier, the Portuguese Secretary of State. Additionally, he met with Ms. Helena Malceta, Director General of Foreign Policy, for the fifth round of the India-Portugal Foreign Office Consultations.
In a post on X on Monday, MEA stated, "Both sides reviewed all aspects of India-Portugal bilateral relations and discussed India-EU relations, issues of mutual interest, including regional and global developments."
https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1985399407190425760
In addition to discussing methods to further strengthen interaction in emerging industries like renewable energy, digital innovation, startups, and marine partnership, both sides shared perspectives on political, economic, cultural, and technological cooperation.
Ambassador Sibi George also paid a visit to Ana Isabel Xavier, the Secretary of State for Portugal. The meeting's main goals were to increase cooperation in trade, education, and movement as well as to improve political discourse.
Portugal and India have always had cordial ties. The two countries have been connected for more than 500 years, since Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama first landed in Calicut (now Kozhikode), Kerala, in 1498. Diplomatic relations were established in 1949.
According to MEA, Portugal has consistently backed India's application for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and its participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group over the years.
Additionally, Portugal was instrumental in starting the first India-EU Summit. The concept was put forth when current UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was Portugal's prime minister. Then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee attended the first India-EU Summit, which took place in Lisbon in 2000 during the Portuguese presidency of the European Union.
The planned India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is being advanced by both India and the EU at the time of the most recent consultations. According to a press release from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, a top team of EU negotiators is now in New Delhi from November 3 to 7, 2025, to have discussions aimed at addressing important concerns and advancing toward a balanced trade framework that benefits both parties.
This comes after Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic during his recent trip to Brussels on October 27 and 28. Both parties reiterated their dedication to accelerating talks and creating a thorough trade and investment alliance.
