President Murmu Begins Historic Visit to Portugal and Slovakia to Strengthen EU Ties

President Droupadi Murmu begins a four-day historic visit to Portugal and Slovakia, marking 50 years of Indo-Portuguese ties and boosting India-EU and India-Slovakia relations.

Lisbon/Bratislava | President Droupadi Murmu has embarked on a historic state visit to Portugal and Slovakia, marking a major step in India’s global diplomatic outreach. This four-day trip, which began on Sunday in Lisbon, is India’s first presidential visit to Portugal in 27 years and comes at a significant moment—coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal.
President Murmu was welcomed at Lisbon’s Figo Maduro military airbase by Indian and Portuguese diplomats. On Monday, she is set to receive a ceremonial Guard of Honour and hold high-level meetings with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and Assembly Speaker Dr. Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco. A special reception by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas and a state banquet will follow in her honour.
India and Portugal have been enhancing their strategic partnership in sectors like renewable energy, IT, pharmaceuticals, defence, and tourism, with bilateral trade now crossing USD 1.5 billion. President Murmu’s Portugal visit is expected to advance discussions on the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement, in which Portugal has played a constructive role.
A key highlight of her Portugal itinerary includes interacting with the Indian diaspora community of over 125,000, and paying tribute at the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Alameda Mahatma Gandhi in Lisbon.
On April 9, President Murmu will head to Slovakia for the second leg of her visit. There, she will meet newly elected Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and National Council Speaker Richard Rasi. The visit includes delegation-level talks focused on trade, technology, and investment cooperation.
She will also tour the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) facility in Nitra, owned by India’s Tata Motors, symbolizing strong industrial cooperation between India and Slovakia.
President Murmu’s Portugal and Slovakia visit concludes on April 10, reinforcing India’s engagement with the European Union through strategic bilateral dialogues. Her visit is being viewed as a pivotal moment in strengthening India’s diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people ties with the EU region.