India, Portugal sign new agreements in 'taxation'

Lisbon [Portugal], June 24 (ANI): India and Portugal on Saturday signed new agreements in the field of taxation, science, space, youth affairs and sports to further expand their bilateral relations. Speaking at a joint conference after holding a bilateral discussion with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two sides have also agreed to set up a joint science and technology fund of four million euros. He also announced setting up of a Chair for Indian Studies in University of Lisbon and developing a Hindi-Portuguese dictionary for mutual benefit. "We are determined to deepen our cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism," he added. Thanking Portugal for its consistent support for India's permanent membership of United Nations, Prime Minister Modi stressed on the strong bilateral partnership in the international arena. He also expressed condolences for the families and victims of forest fire, in Portugal's Pedrogao Grande that claimed at least 60 lives. On his part, the Portuguese Prime Minister welcomed his Indian counterpart in Gujarati. He said that 17 cooperation projects have been identified to work on and that the bilateral talks. He stressed that science is going to be one of the most important areas for cooperation between the two nations in the future. "While in past it was maritime link that connected our two countries, but today it's the digital link that'll join us in future," Costa added. Prime Minister Modi, who reached Lisbon Portugal on the first leg of his three-nation tour earlier today, will also visit the Champalimaud Foundation here Lisbon known for its advanced biomedical research and clinical care. Prime Minister Modi in second-leg of his visit will later today depart for The United States of America. Prime Minister Modi is the second Indian Prime Minister to visit Portugal. Earlier, former Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee attended a European Union meeting in Lisbon in the year 2000.(ANI)