President Mulm pays a state visit to Portugal, Slovakia, which diverts global trade dynamics

President Droupadi Murmu Emplanes visited Portugal and the Slovak Republic on April 6, 2025. Image source: X/@Meaindia

President Droupadi Murmu began a state visit to Portugal and the Slovak Republic on Sunday (6 April 2025), marking the first visit in nearly three decades.

Her tour was conducted as global economic changes took place as the United States reshapes international commerce and the increasing trade imposed trade tariffs on India and Europe.

In February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners visited India. New Delhi said it hopes to finalize the India-EU Free Trade Agreement this year.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said in a tweet on X: “President Droupadi Murmu Emplanes visited Portugal and the Slovak Republic in the state. These are the state visits of the Indian president for more than 25 years in the two countries. President Murmu’s two-day “landmark” visit to Portugal coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Lisbon, 27 years after the last visit to the country by the Indian president.

President Murmu will meet with Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luãs Montenegro and Parliament Speaker Dr José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.

Mayor Carlos Manuel Felix Modas, Lisbon, will hold a special event for President Mulm. She will also attend a banquet hosted by President Susa.

“The value of trade between India and Portugal is USD 1.5 billion, which has been growing steadily over the past five years, with a 50% increase in the past five years,” the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs (West) said on Friday (5 April 2025) introductory to the media about the visit.

“We are seeing expansion in cooperation with the Ministry of Renewable Energy, IT, Medicine, Education, Tourism and Defense,” he said.

He also said that Portugal has always played a very important role in deepening India-EU partnership.

Asked about the possibility of a discussion about the India-EU free trade agreement, Mr. Lar said: “Yes, areas of common interests will be discussed.”

“In 2000, during the President of Portugal, the first Indian EU summit was chaired by them. Also in 2021, the first leaders’ summit between India and the EU, all leaders from all EU partner countries participated in the summit. Therefore, India-noble relations have very strong relations with the EU.”

During his visit to Portugal, President Murmu will interact with cross-sections of members of the Indian community, including researchers working at various Portuguese institutions.

The number of Indian communities in Portugal is about 1,25,000, including more than 35,000 Indian nationals and 90,000 Indians. The communities throughout Lisbon, Algarve and Porto have become an integral part of the social and economic landscape of Portugal.

President Murmu will also provide flower tributes on the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in “Alameda Mahatma Gandhi” (Avenue). She will also attend a community reception and then visit the Slovak Republic for the second round from April 9 to 10.

“There are deep connections, especially in the study of Sanskrit in Slovakia. Mahatma Gandhi’s work has been translated into Slovakia, which provides valuable support when the Indian students in Ukraine evacuated in 2022.”

During his visit to Slovakia, President Murmu will hold delegation-level talks and meet with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico and National Parliament Speaker Richard Rasi.

Her activities include visits to Nitra’s state-of-the-art Tata Automotive Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) facility, which demonstrates the strong industrial relations between Slovakia and India. The JLR factory opened in 2018 and has a capacity of 150,000 vehicles per year, with an investment of 1.4 billion euros.

As part of her diplomatic journey, President Murmu will participate in traditional bread and salt rituals, a symbol of ancient Slovakia customization that symbolizes life and health.

She will also meet with members of the Indian community in Slovakia. About 6,000 Indians live and work in Central European countries.