President Murmu embarks on state visit to Portugal, Slovakia amid shifting global trade dynamics

President Droupadi Murmu embarks on historic state visits to Portugal and Slovakia, strengthening India's ties with Europe.

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

Her tour comes at a time of significant global economic change, with trade tariffs recently imposed by the United States reshaping international commerce and India's growing engagement with Europe.

In February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners visited India. New Delhi has expressed hope of finalising the India-EU free trade agreement this year.

In a tweet on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “President Droupadi Murmu emplanes on state visits to Portugal and the Slovak Republic. These are the first state visits to either country by the President of India in more than 25 years. The visits will further expand India’s multi-faceted engagement with two important EU partners.” President Murmu’s two-day “landmark” visit to Portugal, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Lisbon, comes 27 years after an Indian president last visited the nation.

President Murmu will engage in meetings with top leadership including Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Assembly Speaker Dr José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.

Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Manuel Félix Moedas will host a special event for President Murmu. She will also attend a banquet hosted by President Sousa.

“Trade between India and Portugal is valued at $1.5 billion and has been growing steadily with a 50% increase over the last five years,” said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, on Friday (April 5, 2025) while briefing the press about the visit.