"I think the biggest challenge for Portugal will be to think of a long-term strategy for India, India is a giant country that will never take the initiative in deepening relations with Portugal as a priority", said the researcher at the Center for the New Delhi's Social and Economic Progress.

Despite the visit of Prime Minister Narenda Modi, in 2017, the various agreements and political visits, Constantino Xavier believes that “while Portugal does not think deeply about India and how India can really boost development, the economy, political, strategic, diplomatic interests (...), it will be very difficult for Portugal to play a role" in that country.

And to carry out this strategy, “it is necessary to think first about what the priorities are” and then direct economic diplomacy, guiding and preparing companies and the new generations of Portuguese entrepreneurs in this regard.

"To do this, it is necessary to get to know India, it is not about going to India just because India is gigantic and is a great economy or because it offers an alternative to China", he says, defending that "it is necessary to find doors".

However, for a small country like Portugal -, alongside India's other strategic partners, which include Japan, the United States, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Singapore or Spain, it is "particularly important to focus on priority sectors and focus energies on specific areas".

Constantino Xavier also defends the need for "experts" from India in Portugal, who work in the Indian economy, who understand the various Indian industries, from infrastructure, through telecommunications, to the education sector.

"All of this has to be studied and deepened and, for that, we have to think of a strategy, we have to think of the instruments, the necessary investments to encourage this study of India in Portugal", concluded Constantino Xavier.