President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with the City Key of Lisbon during a ceremonial event at the historic Câmara Municipal de Lisboa (City Hall), marking a significant moment in her ongoing state visit to Portugal.
The symbolic gesture, presented by Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, officially recognised her as an honorary citizen of the city.
The president, who is on a two-day state visit to Portugal, was given a Guard of Honour at the Camara Municipal de Lisboa, the historical building where proclamation of First Republic of Portugal had taken place from its Noble balcony in 1910.
She was taken to the Noble Salon where the ceremony to hand over the City Key of Honour took place with the room packed with Indians who had settled there.
“Namaskar! Madam President. Apka Lisbon me Swagat hai,” said Mayor Moedas, extending a warm welcome as he handed over the ceremonial key.
The event was attended by eminent citizens, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of the Indian and Indo-Portuguese community.
President Murmu, who was given a Guard of Honour upon arrival, addressed the packed Noble Salon with the greeting “Bom Dia”, reflecting the cultural bridge between the two nations.
Highlighting the deep-rooted ties between India and Portugal, the President said, “The cultural ties between India and Portugal have existed for centuries, and they have left an indelible mark on our daily lives.”
Murmu praised Portugal for being a valued partner of India in fostering relations with the European Union and Lusophone countries.
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President Murmu also visited the Church of Santa Maria, laying a wreath at the tomb of Portuguese national poet Luis Vaz de Camoes, and toured the Monastery of Jeronimos.
Earlier in the day, she and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa launched commemorative stamps celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
