President Droupadi Murmu was conferred City Key of Honour by the Mayor of Lisbon in a ceremony held at City Hall of Lisbon, Portugal.
Key Highlights
Highest Civic Honour
- The City Key of Honour is highest award granted by Lisbon.
- It is presented to individuals whose contributions to society or significant ties to Portugal are recognized.
- President Murmu’s receipt of this honour underscores her role in strengthening diplomatic and cultural links between India and Portugal.
Symbolic Significance:
- Bestows honorary citizenship of Lisbon- often referred to as the City of Seven Hills.
- Enhances India’s global profile and reinforces its commitment to building strong international relationships.
India-Portugal Relations:
- The accolade comes at a time when India and Portugal are commemorating 50 years of bilateral relations.
- Strategic collaborations span multiple sectors: Cultural exchanges; Science & Technology; Research & Educational cooperation; Defence; Information Technology & Start-ups
Historical and Strategic Context
Historical Ties:
- The India–Portugal connection dates back to 1498 with Vasco da Gama’s arrival in Calicut.
- Full diplomatic normalization followed after Portugal’s 1974 Carnation Revolution, culminating in the 1975 Goa Treaty.
Strategic Support:
- Portugal has consistently backed India’s bid for a permanent UNSC seat and entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
- Portugal played a key role in initiating the India–EU Summits, hosting the first in Lisbon under PM Vajpayee (2000) and the India–EU Plus 27 Leadership Summit (May 2021) under Portuguese EU Presidency.
Economic, Trade & Diaspora Linkages:
Bilateral Trade:
- As of 2025, trade between India and Portugal stands at around USD 1.5 billion, marking a 50% increase from USD 951 million in 2020.
Diaspora:
- Approximately 1.25 lakh Indians reside in Portugal, comprising 35,000 nationals and 90,000 persons of Indian origin (PIO).
Cultural & Educational Initiatives:
- Active cultural cooperation through platforms like the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair at the University of Lisbon.
- Commemorative efforts including joint stamp issues marking 500 years of shared history.