President Droupadi Murmu will embark on state visits to Portugal and Slovakia from April 7-10, 2025, marking significant diplomatic engagements, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced in a special briefing on Friday.
Historic Visit to Portugal (April 7-8)
President Murmu will visit Portugal at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. This will be the first state visit by an Indian President to Portugal in 27 years, with the last visit being that of President K. R. Narayanan in 1998.
MEA Secretary (West) Tanmay Lal highlighted the significance of the visit:
“This visit is historic as India and Portugal are marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. It will take forward the friendship and partnership between the two nations.”
Key engagements in Portugal:
✔ Delegation-level talks with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
✔ Meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro
✔ Meeting with Parliament Speaker Jose Pedro Aguiar Branco
✔ Banquet dinner hosted in her honor
✔ Special event with the Mayor of Lisbon
✔ Interaction with the Indian community and researchers
Landmark Visit to Slovakia (April 9-10)
President Murmu will then visit Slovakia at the invitation of President Peter Pellegrini. This marks the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in 29 years, with the last visit being in 1996.
Secretary Tanmay Lal emphasized the growing ties between India and Slovakia:
“There is strong political momentum, significant Indian investments, and deep cultural connections. The visit comes 30 years after the establishment of the Indian Embassy in Bratislava in 1995.”
Key engagements in Slovakia:
✔ Delegation-level talks with President Peter Pellegrini
✔ Meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico
✔ Meeting with National Council Speaker Richard Rasi
✔ State banquet hosted in her honor
✔ Interaction with the Indian community in Slovakia
Deepening Bilateral Relations
India’s engagement with Portugal and Slovakia has grown in recent years:
✅ Portugal: High-level visits, academic collaborations, and cultural ties
✅ Slovakia: Indian investments in automobiles, IT, engineering, and steel, and Slovakia’s support during India’s evacuation of students from Ukraine
The visit will further strengthen India’s diplomatic and economic partnerships with both European nations, reinforcing India’s strategic engagement with the EU.