President Murmu in Portugal: first Indian presidential visit in 27 years; joint stamps mark 50 years of ties; City Key of Honour of Lisbon
On 7 April 2025, President Droupadi Murmu held engagements in Lisbon with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, including the launch of postage stamps marking 50 years of India–Portugal diplomatic relations, and received the City Key of Honour of Lisbon.
Summary
President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Lisbon on 6 April 2025 on the first leg of her State Visit to Portugal and the Slovak Republic, the first visit by an Indian President to Portugal in 27 years. On 7 April she met President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; the two Presidents launched postage stamps commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations, featuring folk attire from both countries: Rajasthan's Kalbeliya costume and the traditional Viana do Castelo dress of Portugal. She laid a wreath at the tomb of Luís Vaz de Camões, the national poet of Portugal, at the Church of Santa Maria and visited the Jerónimos Monastery. She received the 'City Key of Honour' of Lisbon from the Mayor of Lisbon at the City Hall and attended a banquet hosted in her honour by President Rebelo de Sousa at Palácio da Ajuda.
Key facts
- Dates
- Arrived 6 April; engagements 7 April 2025
- Significance
- First visit by an Indian President to Portugal in 27 years
- Stamps
- 50 years of diplomatic relations; Kalbeliya costume (Rajasthan) and Viana do Castelo dress
- Honour
- City Key of Honour of Lisbon, from the Mayor of Lisbon
- Host
- President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; banquet at Palácio da Ajuda
Practice MCQs 3 questions
President Droupadi Murmu's April 2025 visit to Portugal was the first by an Indian President to that country in how many years?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 27 years
27 years; she arrived in Lisbon on 6 April 2025 on the first leg of a State Visit to Portugal and the Slovak Republic.
The India–Portugal postage stamps released on 7 April 2025 to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations featured which Indian folk attire?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Kalbeliya costume of Rajasthan
Kalbeliya costume of Rajasthan, alongside the traditional Viana do Castelo dress of Portugal.
Consider the following statements about President Murmu's visit to Lisbon in April 2025: 1. She received the 'City Key of Honour' of Lisbon from the Mayor of Lisbon. 2. The banquet in her honour at Palácio da Ajuda was hosted by the Prime Minister of Portugal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The banquet at Palácio da Ajuda was hosted by the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.