India on the Move - 2020

Developed India .....not too far ...

January 14, 2007

‘India’s growth rate makes most European countries jealous’

IT to biotech, Portuguese PM looks at technology partnership with India
The forthcoming visit to India of Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva is his first outside Europe. Ritu Sarin was among the Indian journalists invited to Lisbon to meet the President for a free-wheeling pre-visit interaction. Excerpts:
What do you want to achieve during your forthcoming visit?
I want to contribute to the consolidation of the excellent political relations between Portugal and India and build a sustainable relationship for the future. Our trade and investment relations are very limited and we want to make India a privileged partner. India is now the third or fourth largest world economy and has a growth rate, which makes many European countries jealous. So I want to contribute to a dramatic change in the present limited economic ties. The two countries have strong cultural and historic links and there already exists a sense of proximity.
What is your stand on Indo-US nuclear agreement?
We are aware of the agreement but will react to it only after its official presentation before the international community and after it has been examined by the Portuguese Government. It is not for the President of Portugal to comment on the agreement. We feel India, as the world’s biggest democracy, should play an important role in the international arena and we were among the first countries to support its candidature for the UNSC.
Are there reservations in Portugal on proposed extradition treaty?
It is under discussion at the final stage and we hope it will be signed during my visit. I know about the gangster (Abu Salem) who was extradited to India and we don’t want any more gangsters here. Some people feel Portugal has soft immigration laws and only six months ago, we have a new law and regulations. We hope there are no loopholes in the law.
What’s on the economic agenda between the two countries?
I am accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen and will be attending three economic seminars in India. Portugal can be a platform for Indian businessmen for Europe and our Prime Minister will be visiting India later in the year for the Indo-EU summit where more progress can be made. Portugal is moving away from traditional areas of production like footwear and textiles to areas of high technology, biotechnology and information technology. These are the niche areas India and Portugal have to focus on for enhanced economic cooperation.
What are the thrust areas you see in economic ties?
We have to translate traditional political relations into concrete action in other areas as well. For instance, in enhanced cooperation between universities. There are already some agreements between our universities but there should be more. There are a lot of possibilities in tourism. India has all the conditions of attracting many thousands of Portuguese tourists. Then there is the infrastructure area, motorways. Portugal is now undertaking huge infrastructure projects in countries like Israel.
Do you think India has an edge over China?
We also have a privileged relationship with China but India, after all, is a democracy. Another factor is the quality of Indian human resources. China also has cheap labour but the number of qualified professionals, of engineers in India is impressive. India has a condition for sustainable growth and is in a position of taking advantage of its knowledge-based society. China is also a huge market but they are different.
Source : Indian express

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