President Droupadi Murmu, received the ‘City Key of Honour’ from the Mayor of Lisbon at a ceremony in the City Hall of Lisbon, Portugal, on April 7, 2025. In her speech, the President expressed gratitude to the Mayor and the people of Lisbon, highlighting the city’s reputation for open-mindedness, warmth, and cultural diversity. She acknowledged Lisbon’s position as a global city leading in technological innovation and suggested further cooperation between India and Portugal in these domains.
Later that evening, the President attended a banquet hosted by the President of Portugal, H.E. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. During her address, she emphasized the deep cultural ties between India and Portugal that date back centuries, visible in architecture, historical sites, languages, and culinary traditions. She noted that 2025 is significant as it marks 50 years of India-Portugal bilateral relations, which are evolving into a dynamic partnership with potential for collaboration in areas such as science, technology, defense, and education.
The President also recognized Portugal’s essential role in strengthening India’s relations with the European Union, recalling significant summits held during Portugal’s EU Presidency. She expressed optimism about the future of India-Portugal relations, envisioning that they would prosper not only for the two nations but also for the global community.
