Former Malta PM, ex-Israel minister bat for stronger trade ties with India

Former prime minister of Malta Joseph Muscat and former foreign minister of Israel Eliezer Sandberg on Saturday pitched for stronger trade ties with India, citing technology and pharmaceuticals as major possible areas of collaboration.

Both leaders expressed their views during a function held to mark the foundation day of a school here.

Muscat arrived in the city from New Delhi via Amritsar without any security cover while Sandberg had arrived here three days ago.

The former Israeli minister spent his time visiting landmark sites in the area, and also paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

“Our country may be a small Mediterranean archipelago but we are one of Europe’s most developed economies. The last time I visited India was when I was the PM in January 2019. During that time, I had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I like this country and its culture, hence I will keep on coming,” Muscat said.

He added that both India and Malta should work together in the fields of IT and pharmaceuticals.

“We have a strong pharmaceutical industry in Malta and export medicines to India. On the other hand, we are not so well-developed in computer software. For this, we need the India's help,” he said.

“Having said that, our country is strong at manufacturing microchips, which we export to India and other countries. IT and pharmaceuticals are two areas where trade between the two countries can be improved,” Muscat added.

Sandberg said thought the trade relations between both India and Israel are good, there is a scope for improvement. “We are a technologically advanced nation, hence, we can give so much to India in the field of technology,” he said.