New Delhi, April 7 (H.S.): On Monday, President Droupadi Murmu and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa held bilateral talks. During this meeting, both countries agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation on the United Nations and other multilateral platforms.

President Murmu and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa jointly issued a stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations. The stamp features traditional Indian Kalbeliya attire (a folk dance of the Rajasthan tribe) alongside Portugal's traditional Viana dress. Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, reported that both leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade and commerce, culture, tourism, and people-to-people relations. They also considered expanding partnerships in new and emerging areas such as IT, renewable energy, green hydrogen, startups, innovation, and efficient mobility.

After the bilateral talks, President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint press conference with her counterpart. In this, she stated that she had a creative and meaningful discussion with the President of Portugal. They agreed to support each other on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations. Murmu expressed her pleasure at the issuance of a special stamp to mark the 50 years of India-Portugal relations.

During the press conference, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated his country's support for reforms in the United Nations Security Council and for granting India permanent membership. Addressing the current international upheaval, President de Sousa highlighted India’s significance, stating that the principles of trust required for prosperity and combating climate change are currently under crisis. Those who established these principles and values are now questioning them.

Notably, President Droupadi Murmu is currently on visits to Portugal and Slovakia. Upon her arrival in Portugal today, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa welcomed her at the historic 'Praça do Império' in Lisbon, where she also received a Guard of Honour. President Murmu visited the Church of Santa Maria and laid a wreath at the tomb of Portugal’s national poet Luis Vaz de Camões. She also toured the Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of 16th-century architecture in Portugal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar