President Droupadi Murmu set off on a four-day state visit to Portugal and Slovakia on Sunday, marking a historic moment in India’s diplomatic outreach to these European nations. Her visit, scheduled from April 7 to April 10, is particularly significant as it comes after a decades-long gap—27 years since an Indian President last visited Portugal and 29 years since a presidential visit to Slovakia.
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 in more than 25 years.
The visits will further expand
’s multifaceted engagement with two… pic.twitter.com/KbywgGngBX
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 6, 2025
President Murmu’s first stop is Portugal, where she will meet with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. This visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, making it a momentous occasion for both countries. The last Indian President to visit Portugal was K.R. Narayanan in 1998. Over the years, India and Portugal have strengthened their engagement through high-level visits, and Murmu’s trip is expected to further deepen cooperation in trade, technology, and cultural exchanges.
Following her engagements in Portugal, President Murmu will travel to Slovakia on April 9, where she will be hosted by President Peter Pellegrini. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Slovakia since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The visit is aimed at fostering stronger bilateral ties, exploring new opportunities for economic collaboration, and reinforcing India’s presence in Central Europe.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), these visits underscore India’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with key European nations. MEA Secretary (West) Tanmay Lal described them as “landmark visits” that will enhance India’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations with both Portugal and Slovakia.
During her visit, Murmu is expected to hold discussions on a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, and cultural cooperation. Her engagements will set the stage for new partnerships and reinforce India’s growing role in global diplomacy.
