New Delhi [India], April 6 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday emplaned for a four-day state visit to Portugal and Slovakia from April 7–10.
She is visiting Portugal at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The visit marks the first state visit by an Indian President to Portugal in 27 years—the last being by President K. R. Narayanan in 1998.
From April 9–10, President Murmu will visit Slovakia at the invitation of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. It will be the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in 29 years.
Sharing the post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson wrote,
“President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn emplanes on State visits to Portugal and the Slovak Republic. These are the first State visits to either country by the President of India in more than 25 years.”
“The visits will further expand India’s multifaceted engagement with two important EU partners,” the post added.
Speaking to the media during a special briefing, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Tanmay Lal, described the visits as “two important landmark visits.”
Sharing details of the Portugal visit, Secretary Lal said the visit is historic as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal and aims to “take forward the friendship and partnership.”
“It is also 27 years since the last visit by a President from India to Portugal. So it’s a very symbolic and landmark visit. The President will be traveling to Portugal at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal,” he said.
Lal highlighted that in recent years, there has been a significant increase in high-level exchanges between the two countries, reflecting the deepening of bilateral ties.
During her stay in Portugal, President Murmu will hold delegation-level talks with President Sousa. The Portuguese President will also host a banquet dinner in her honor. In addition, she will meet Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, Speaker of the Portuguese Parliament José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and the Mayor of Lisbon, who will host a special event in her honor.
President Murmu will also interact with members of the Indian community in Portugal and is expected to meet Indian researchers from various universities and academic institutions.
Lal also noted that the visit to Slovakia coincides with 30 years since the establishment of the Indian Embassy in Bratislava, which was opened in 1995. (ANI)
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