PM Narendra Modi holds talks with Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa

LISBON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa and discussed ways to further intensify bilateral relations.

Modi, who arrived here on the first leg of his three- nation tour, said his brief visit will further strengthen relations between India and Portugal.

"Advancing bilateral engagements. PM @narendramodi & PM @antoniocostapm discuss ways to further intensify bilateral relations," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted along with some photographs.

Advancing bilateral engagements. PM @narendramodi & PM @antoniocostapm discuss ways to further intensify bilateral relations pic.twitter.com/zGaBkYNUq8

— Gopal Baglay (@MEAIndia) June 24, 2017

The two sides are expected to sign some agreements.

Departing from protocol, Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva received Prime Minister Modi at the airport earlier in the day.

Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Portugal on a bilateral trip, Baglay said.

Before leaving for Lisbon, Modi had said during his meeting with Costa, the two leaders will build on their recent discussions and review the progress of various joint initiatives and decisions.

Portuguese Prime Minister Costa tweeted this is an excellent opportunity to review the implementation of the accords agreed during his India visit and sign new agreements.

Esta é uma excelente oportunidade para passar em revista a implementação do acordado na minha visita à #Índia e assinar novos acordos.

— António Costa (@antoniocostapm) June 24, 2017

Costa had visited India in January this year.

The highlight of Modi's four-day three-nation visit will be the US leg as Modi will be meeting President Donald Trump for the first time on June 26 in Washington.

From the US, he will travel to the Netherlands.