New Delhi: In keeping with his initiative of forging cooperation and helping international community to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with his counterpart from Portugal Antonio Costa on phone.
Both the leaders discussed the state of COVID-19 pandemic and the steps being taken by both countries to control its health and economic impact.
Modi commended his Portuguese counterpart for his effective handling of the crisis.
“They noted that proactive national measures were helpful in containing the spread of the virus. The two leaders offered all possible help to each other in dealing with the situation and agreed to collaborate on research and innovation aimed at fighting COVID-19,” the Ministry of External Affairs state in a statement.
The prime minister thanked Mr Costa for extending validity of visas of Indian travellers to Portugal who could not return because of the lockdown.
Prime Minister Costa expressed his appreciation for the facilitation provided by Indian authorities to Portuguese citizens in India.
The leaders agreed to remain in touch and consult each other on the evolving dimensions of the crisis as well as the post-Covid context.
The prime minister also recalled the state visit of President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to India in February.
