New Delhi, March 17 (H.S.):

A parliamentary delegation led by Marcos Perestrelo, the Vice President of the Portuguese Assembly, met with the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, on Monday at the Parliament House complex.

Welcoming the delegation, Harivansh appreciated the cordial relations between India and Portugal based on a shared history, maritime ties, and cultural and migratory connections.

Reflecting on long-term relations, Harivansh expressed his happiness that both countries are organizing activities to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, with many events in the fields of art, culture, academic conferences, seminars, book launches, and films being held with great enthusiasm. Both India and Portugal have maintained a tradition of continued dialogue and communication at high leadership levels.

Emphasizing the social and cultural connections between India and Portugal, Harivansh noted that the Portuguese have shown a deep interest in Indian culture, philosophy, yoga, Ayurveda, music, dance, cuisine, and films. Harivansh stressed that both countries should continue their efforts to build close ties, explore new opportunities, and realize the full potential of this visionary partnership. He encouraged that India should attract more Portuguese businesses not only to serve domestic consumers but also to leverage India's vast market and manufacturing ecosystem to meet global supply chains. Concluding the meeting, Harivansh expressed hope that the visit of the Portuguese Assembly delegation would strengthen the India-Portuguese partnership and give new momentum to the rapidly growing bilateral relations between the two countries.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar