President Droupadi Murmu began her historic State visit to Portugal on Monday with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, where she was welcomed by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
This visit marks the first by an Indian President to Portugal in 27 years, the last being President K. R. Narayanan in 1998. Upon her arrival, Ambassador of India to Portugal, Puneet Roy Kundal, received the President at the airport, sharing his pride on X:
“Honored to receive Rashtrapati Ji in Lisbon on her first State visit to Portugal.”
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As per Rashtrapati Bhavan, this is a landmark trip, with both Portugal and Slovakia being visited by an Indian President for the first time in over 25 years.
“President Droupadi Murmu departs for historic State visits to Portugal and the Slovak Republic. The visits will further expand India’s multifaceted engagement with two important European Union partners.”
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Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal echoed the significance of the visits, noting their role in deepening India’s ties with two important EU partners.
“These are the first State visits to either country by the President of India in more than 25 years.”
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Key Highlights:
- The visit to Portugal is at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
- It coincides with 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal.
- From April 9–10, President Murmu will visit Slovakia at the invitation of President Peter Pellegrini, marking the first visit to Slovakia by an Indian President in 29 years.
Speaking about the importance of the visit, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Sanjay Verma, emphasized that the trip would “take forward the friendship and partnership” between India and Portugal.
With this visit, President Murmu continues to strengthen India’s global engagement and reinforces its presence on the European diplomatic stage, particularly through deeper cooperation in political, cultural, and economic spheres.