What happened?
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Lisbon on 7 April 2025 for a four-day state visit to Portugal and Slovakia. The visit to Portugal, at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, marks the 50th anniversary of India-Portugal diplomatic ties.
From 9 to 10 April, the President will be in Slovakia, invited by President Peter Pellegrini. This is the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in 29 years. The agenda includes meetings with top political leadership and discussions on expanding cooperation in trade, technology, and education.
Why it matters to India:
The visit reflects India’s growing engagement with the European Union and aims to deepen bilateral ties with two key EU partners. Portugal and Slovakia offer new avenues for collaboration in clean energy, innovation, and higher education.
The trip enhances India’s diplomatic visibility in Europe, supports diversification of partnerships beyond major economies, and aligns with India’s broader strategy of building resilient international linkages in a multipolar world.