NEW DELHI, April 8: President Droupadi Murmu received the prestigious ‘City Key of Honour’ of Lisbon from the Mayor of Lisbon at a ceremonial function held at the City Hall of Lisbon, Portugal, last evening.
Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu expressed her gratitude to the Mayor and the people of Lisbon for the honour. She highlighted Lisbon’s reputation for its open-mindedness, the warmth of its people, its rich culture, and its deep-rooted values of tolerance and respect for diversity.
Later, President Murmu attended a banquet hosted in her honour by the President of Portugal, His Excellency Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at the historic Palacio da Ajuda.
In her remarks during the banquet, President Murmu emphasized the longstanding cultural ties between India and Portugal, which she said span centuries and have left a lasting impression on both nations. She noted that this shared heritage is visible in architecture, historical sites, languages, and even the cuisines of the two countries.
President Murmu highlighted that the year 2025 marks a special milestone as India and Portugal celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations. She remarked, “With our natural synergy and potential for cooperation in diverse fields, our historic ties are firmly on their way to becoming a dynamic and visionary partnership.”
She further elaborated on India’s progress as a knowledge-based economy, stating that the country is leveraging its strengths in science and technology, information and communication technology, digital public infrastructure, start-ups, and innovation to develop an inclusive and sustainable development model that benefits all.
Underscoring the importance of India-Portugal collaboration, President Murmu said, “We consider Portugal as our partner in harnessing India’s strengths as a knowledge-based economy.” She also acknowledged Portugal’s significant role in enhancing India’s relations with the European Union.
President Murmu concluded her address by expressing confidence that the bilateral relations between India and Portugal will continue to grow stronger and more expansive in the years ahead, benefiting not only the two nations but also contributing positively to the global community.
