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India, Spain cement ties as MoS Lekhi concludes 4-day visit

MoS Lekhi also delivered a talk on India’s overseas Development Assistance programme, during this interaction…reports Asian Lite News.

India and Spain undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, especially after the Covid-19 hiatus, during Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi’s visit to the country.

During her visit to Spain from September 14-17, MoS Lekhi called on Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares; met her counterpart, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ángeles Moreno Bau; and had consultations with Secretary of State for International Affairs Pilar Cancela Rodriguez.

The Spanish Foreign Minister Albares and Secretary of State Moreno thanked MoS Lekhi for India’s approval to source 56 Airbus C295 military transport aircrafts from Spain and said that this agreement qualitatively enhanced relations between the two countries, said a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) press release.

According to the release, the situation in Afghanistan was discussed.

Both sides agreed to hasten negotiations towards an early conclusion of the Civil Nuclear Agreement, it stated.

They also acknowledged support to each other during the worst phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, the statement added.
The increasing mutual support in election to international bodies was also noted with satisfaction, it informed.

Lekhi conveyed that India looked forward to the visit of the Spanish FM to India at a mutually convenient time to prepare for a subsequent visit by the Spanish President to India, the statement mentioned.

MoS Lekhi met members of the Spain-India Council Foundation to further economic relations between the two countries.

MoS Lekhi also delivered a talk on India’s overseas Development Assistance programme, during this interaction.

In her talk the MoS shared India’s philosophy of international development cooperation and the extent of assistance extended to different parts of the world, it added.

She visited Casa de la India in Valladolid, a PPP model supported by ICCR, the statement informed.

MoS Lekhi inaugurated the Beatles and India exhibition at Casa de la India.

She also met the Board Members of the Casa de la India over a working lunch hosted by the Mayor of Valladolid.

Cooperation with the Cervantes Institute of Spain was discussed with Secretary for International Cooperation along with cooperation in Film making, Sports and Science and Technology, it highlighted.

Both sides also congratulated each other for the recent inscription of Kakatiya Temples, as well as Paseo Del Prado and Buen Retiró In the UNESCO Word Heritage List, the statement continued.

MoS Lekhi also briefed the Spanish side on India’s ongoing celebrations to mark 75 Years of its Independence, it added. During her visit, she also engaged with the Indian Diaspora at a Community Reception hosted in her honour.

She had a focussed interaction with Indologists, ICCR Alumni, practitioners of Indian performing arts and dances and Indo-philes, it said.

MoS also participated in a Yoga Master class at the Indian Embassy along with Spanish Yoga teachers and practitioners, the statement said. (India News Network)

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READ MORE-MoS Lekhi to visit Portugal and Spain

Categories
-Top News Europe

MoS Lekhi to visit Portugal and Spain

India was admitted as an Associate Observer of CPLP in July 2021 and is committed to deepen its historic relations with the Lusophone countries…Reports Asian Lite News.

Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi will pay an official visit to Portugal and Spain from September 12 to 17, 2021, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.

According to the MEA, during her visit to Portugal from September 12-14, MoS Lekhi will have bilateral talks with her counterpart Secretary of State for International Affairs and Cooperation Francisco Andre.

She will also meet Foreign Minister of Portugal Augusto Santos Silva and Secretary of State for Internationalization Eurico Brilhante Dias in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A bilateral agreement on the recruitment of Indian citizens to work in Portugal will be signed during the visit.

As per the MEA, the MoS would also meet the Minister of Culture of Portugal, Graça Maria da Fonseca and the Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), Zacarias da Costa.

India was admitted as an Associate Observer of CPLP in July 2021 and is committed to deepen its historic relations with the Lusophone countries.

She will also meet members of the Indian community and attend an event marking the rich cultural heritage of India as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

In the second leg of her two-nation trip, she will land in Spain on September 15 on a three-day visit. During her visit, as per the MEA, MoS Lekhi will hold discussions with her counterpart, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Ángeles Moreno Bau and meet other senior dignitaries in the Spanish government.

The MoS will also inaugurate ‘The Beatles and India’ exhibition at Casa de la India, Valladolid and deliver a talk on India’s Development Cooperation at the Spain India Council Foundation.

She will also interact with Indologists and Indophiles, including ICCR Alumni, and the Indian Community in Spain.

India enjoys warm and friendly relations with both Portugal and Spain. The visit of the MoS, which is the first in-person official engagement with both countries since the Covid19 pandemic, is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral ties. (India News Network)

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