Updated at 11.30am

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat held a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during the Vibrant Gujarat 2019 summit in Ahmedabat, Gurjarat.

During the meeting, the two premiers discussed several points of interest for the two countries including in the pharmaceutical sector, which, in Malta, already had a presence of Indian companies. 

Speaking at the summit, Dr Muscat told his audience that several UK-based Indian companies are eyeing Malta as a potential European base for their operations. 

Dr Muscat also pitched Malta as a centre of excellence within the blockchain sector and highlighted the country's strong economy in his pitch to Indian investors. 

Earlier, during his talks with Mr Modi, Dr Muscat discussed the Malta Medicines Authority's good reputation in India. The authority carries out inspections in India, especially in the state of Gujarat, which is known for its pharma sector, enabling companies there to receive a seal of quality helping them export  products.

They discussed the aviation sector and the possibility of cooperation with Air Malta, which planned to continue to grow and expand.

The main ideas included that Malta would be able to offer a place from where Indians would be able to reach other European and north African countries from different cities in different states in India which lacked connectivity.

The two premiers discussed the innovation sector and the information technology sector and the possibility of cooperation in the blockchain area.

Dr Muscat addresses the conference. Photo: DOI/Clodagh Farrugia O'NeillDr Muscat addresses the conference. Photo: DOI/Clodagh Farrugia O'Neill

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