On the final day of her visit to Portugal, President Droupadi Murmu concluded a deeply engaging and meaningful chapter of her European tour, marked by warm exchanges, shared values, and strong expressions of friendship between India and Portugal. Her day in Lisbon reflected both the dignity of diplomatic engagement and the heartfelt connection with the Indian diaspora.
During her visit, President Murmu met the President of the Assembleia da República, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, where both leaders emphasized the importance of parliamentary exchanges in nurturing closer ties between the two nations. She also held discussions with the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luis Montenegro. Their conversation touched on promising avenues for deeper collaboration across a range of areas including trade, defence, science and technology, and sustainable energy. Both leaders expressed a clear intention to build on the existing goodwill and explore more opportunities for mutual benefit.
Earlier, President Murmu, accompanied by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, visited the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon. There, she observed pioneering research in neuroscience, oncology, and clinical medicine. She interacted with Indian scientists and scholars who are contributing significantly to these innovative fields. With warmth and appreciation, she lauded their efforts in advancing scientific collaboration between India and Portugal, and expressed pride in their achievements.
In a touching tribute to India’s legacy of peace and non-violence, the President laid floral wreaths at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. Her visit also included a spiritual moment at the Radha-Krishna Temple, where she offered prayers in a quiet gesture of devotion and connection with the Indian community’s cultural roots.
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant part of the day came when the President addressed members of the Indian community in Portugal at a reception hosted by the Indian Ambassador. Joined by Minister of State Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya and Members of Parliament Dhaval Patel and Sandhya Ray, the President spoke from the heart to an enthusiastic audience of Indians who had gathered from across Portugal. She celebrated their contributions to Portuguese society and praised them for preserving and promoting India’s rich heritage abroad.
She reminded the community that they are India’s true ambassadors, embodying the values of diversity, resilience, and fraternity. Her words carried warmth and reassurance as she thanked the Portuguese government for embracing the Indian diaspora, and reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for its people, no matter where they live. “Wherever you are,” she said, “your motherland is always with you.”
With these heartfelt engagements, President Murmu brought her Portugal visit to a close and departed for the Slovak Republic, leaving behind not just a trail of diplomacy, but also a message of unity, pride, and shared future between two friendly nations.
