The meeting with India’s Vice-President discussed bilateral ties between India and Lithuania and highlighted similarities between the Lithuanian language and Sanskrit. Lithuania’s Foreign Minister presented a gift to the Indian leader – a short glossary of common words in Lithuanian and Sanskrit – and conveyed an invitation to visit Lithuania, as the country will celebrate its centenary anniversary in 2018.
The meeting with Swaraj discussed opportunities for the development of bilateral relations. According to the Minister Linkevičius, positive trends are evident in various fields of cooperation – the bilateral trade is growing, the number of Indian students in Lithuanian higher education institutions is increasing, and the two countries cooperate within international organizations intensively.
“When India fulfils its promise to open its Embassy in Vilnius, we will be able to intensify our bilateral cooperation even further, especially in the fields of culture and education,” said the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy. The two Ministers signed an extradition treaty and a protocol amending the bilateral air services agreement between India and Lithuania, enabling the entry into force of the India-EU aviation agreement.
The Indian External Affairs Minister thanked Lithuania for supporting India’s aspiration to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The two Ministers agreed that India’s membership would contribute to the group’s efforts to further strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and would ensure safer trade in nuclear materials and technology.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister also participated in a round table discussion on changing geopolitics in Europe that was organized by Carnegie India and gave media interviews.
Linkevičius will attend a business event in Mumbai Harbour and a solemn concert of the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra that will also be attended by the Minister of State for External Affairs of India M.J. Akbar.
