India- Portugal Relationship

Prelims – Current events of national and international importance.

Mains (GS II) – India and its neighborhood- relations.

Why in News?

President Droupadi Murmu recently held extensive discussions with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal and deliberated on various aspects of India-Portugal relations.

• Both sides agreed to further strengthen the ties in several areas, including trade and investment, IT, renewable energy and connectivity.
• Commemorative postage stamps - Both sides launched commemorative postage stamps marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal.
• The stamps reflect the rich artistic and cultural heritage of India and Portugal, and feature vibrant folk attire from both countries
  • Rajasthan's distinctive Kalbeliya costume, and
  • The traditional Viana do Castelo dress from Portugal.

• President of India visited the Church of Santa Maria and laid wreath at the tomb of Luis Vaz de Camoes, the national poet of Portugal.
• She toured the Monastery of Jeronimos, a masterpiece of 16^th-century architecture in Portugal.
• President receives “Key of Honour” of Lisbon City in Portugal.
• Significance - The relationship between India and Portugal enhances the overall strength of the India-European Union partnership.
• Currently, trade between the two nations stands at $1.5 billion and has been experiencing consistent growth.
• Portugal was also the first country in Europe with whom India had signed a Migration and Mobility Agreement.
• It was during the Portuguese presidency of the EU in 2000 that the first India-EU summit was hosted by Portugal.

Reference

Business Standard | India-Portugal relationship