New Delhi– President Droupadi Murmu was honored with the City Key of Honor by the Mayor of Lisbon during a ceremony held at Lisbon City Hall in Portugal on Sunday evening.
In her address, President Murmu expressed her gratitude to the Mayor and the people of Lisbon for the warm gesture. She praised Lisbon for its openness, cultural richness, and the warmth and tolerance of its citizens, emphasizing the city’s respect for diversity.
Later, President Murmu attended a banquet hosted in her honor by the President of Portugal, H.E. Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at the Palácio da Ajuda.
During her remarks at the banquet, President Murmu highlighted the deep-rooted cultural ties between India and Portugal, which she said span centuries and have left a lasting impact on both societies.
“These shared ties are reflected in our architecture, historical landmarks, languages, and even our cuisines,” she noted.
President Murmu also pointed out the special significance of 2025, as India and Portugal celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations.
“With our natural synergy and potential for cooperation across diverse fields, our historic relationship is evolving into a dynamic and visionary partnership,” she said.
Underscoring India’s emergence as a knowledge-based economy, President Murmu spoke of the country’s strengths in science and technology, digital infrastructure, information and communication technology, startups, and innovation. She emphasized India’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
“We consider Portugal a key partner in leveraging India’s capabilities as a knowledge-driven economy,” she added.
President Murmu also commended Portugal for its role in strengthening India’s engagement with the European Union.
Expressing optimism about the future of bilateral ties, she concluded by saying that the India-Portugal relationship will continue to grow stronger and more expansive in the years ahead—benefiting not just both nations, but the world at large. (Source: IANS)
