On Monday, the Centre gave a post facto approval to MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on renewable energy between India and Portugal.
An official statement was released on the matter citing, “The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of a MoU on Renewable Energy between India and Portugal. The MoU was signed on January 6, 2017 in New Delhi.”
The MoU aims at strengthening the technical bilateral cooperation on the renewable issues between the two countries, it said.
Both the countries target to establish a strong base for a cooperative institutional relationship so as to promote and encourage bilateral technical collaboration on renewable and new issues on the grounds of mutual benefit reciprocity and equality.
After signing the agreement, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a press release, “We reviewed the full range of India-Portugal ties across various sectors. We agreed that the two countries must focus on action-oriented approach to realize the full potential of economic opportunities in our partnership.”
He further added – “The agreements signed are just one indication of our shared resolve to do exactly that expansion and deepening of trade, investment, and business partnerships between our two countries are our shared priority.”
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said the signed memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation would help harness strengths for both the countries.
He also said, “Areas of infrastructure, waste and water management, solar and wind energy, and innovation are full of opportunities to build strong commercial ties between our two economies.”
Prime Minister Modi exclaimed that our country’s experiences of generating a sustainable ecosystem for start-ups would be helpful for the bilateral engagement. “It offers unique possibilities for building a rewarding partnership between our young business entrepreneurs that creates both value and wealth for both our societies,” he said.
The leader also expressed the urgent need for global communities to take action against the widely growing and rapidly spreading threats of terror and violence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted António Costa, the PM of Portugal with his father’s novel, which was translated into English. In turn, the Costa gifted Modi with Portuguese football player Christiano Ronaldo’s jersey.
“The MoU envisages constitution of a Joint Working Group which can co-opt other members from Scientific Institutions, Research Centres, Universities, or any other entity, as and when considered essential,” the official statement said.
At the event, the two country leaders together launched commemorative stamps issued by their respective postal departments, depicting Portuguese dance form Pauliteiros and Dandiya, the popular Indian dance form.