New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) President Droupadi Murmu will embark on State Visits to Portugal and Slovakia from April 7-10, which will help further strengthen and broaden India’s bilateral ties to both European nations.

President Murmu will visit Portugal from April 7-8 at the invitation of President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The visit is taking place after a gap of 27 years, and comes as India and Portugal are celebrating 50 years of re-establishment of diplomatic relations. The last State Visit took place in 1998 when President K. R. Narayanan visited Portugal, a statement said.

President Murmu will meet and hold delegation level talks with her counterpart, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. She will also meet the Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and the President of the National Assembly (Parliament), Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco.

India and Portugal share historic and friendly bilateral ties which have evolved over the years into a modern, multifaceted, and dynamic partnership, characterised by robust growth and expansion across several areas of cooperation. The visit will provide further impetus and renewed momentum to India’s growing relations with Portugal.

She will visit Slovakia from April 9-20, at the invitation of the President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini. This will be the first visit by the President of India to Slovakia in 29 years.

President Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico. President Murmu will also meet the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Richard Rasi.

The State Visit by President Murmu reflects the importance India attaches to its bilateral relations with Slovakia. It will provide an opportunity to further strengthen and broaden our bilateral ties.

At both places, President Murmu will interact with members of Indian community.

UNI RN