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Bilateral Meetings in Seville

Seville (Spain), July 1: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in several bilateral discussions during the International Business Forum Leadership Summit, focusing on collaboration in various sectors including defence, education, technology, and agriculture.

During her meeting with Dr. Shane Reti, New Zealand's Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, they explored mutual interests in defence, education, technology, and agriculture, emphasizing shared democratic values and strong interpersonal connections.

The Finance Minister highlighted the exceptional opportunities at GIFT-IFSC, particularly in banking, bullion exchange, capital markets, FinTech, and insurance sectors.

According to a post on X by the Finance Ministry, she emphasized that educational exchanges are vital to the India-New Zealand relationship, noting the significant number of Indian students pursuing higher education in New Zealand.

Dr. Reti acknowledged the importance of strengthening educational ties and shared insights on New Zealand's engagement with the Pacific region.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister expressed India's commitment to enhancing partnerships with Pacific Island Countries, looking forward to collaborative efforts with New Zealand through the Pacific Islands Forum.

She also met with Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Peru's Foreign Minister, during the 'FFD4' meeting, where they discussed expanding strategic partnerships in FinTech, trade, investment, mining, and defence, as well as potential infrastructure collaborations, particularly in railways.

FM Sitharaman showcased India's capabilities in railway construction and rolling stock manufacturing, with Salcedo expressing interest in India's involvement in upcoming international bids for three rail projects in Peru.

Additionally, she conveyed India's desire to diversify exports to Peru, focusing on sectors such as automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, and IT services, while also valuing imports of essential minerals like copper and lithium from Peru, which are crucial for India's energy transition and industrial development.

In her discussions with Germany's Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan, she congratulated her on her recent appointment and explored collaborative opportunities under the India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, covering areas like renewable energy, urban mobility, and sustainable livelihoods.

Alabali-Radovan expressed her eagerness to enhance bilateral relations with India and emphasized Germany's interest in deeper cooperation.