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Earlier, Pakistan had denied permission to PM Narendra Modi in 2019 during his Germany visit just after the abrogation of Article 370, but gave permission for his 2021 US visit President Droupadi Murmu will use the Pakistani airspace to reach Portugal for her state visit on April 7-8, said top intelligence sources. She will then proceed to Slovakia for her two-day state visit. This is the first Presidential visit from India to Portugal in 27 years.
Earlier during Murmu’s visit to Algeria in 2024, her flights avoided the Pakistani airspace, using the alternative routes over Oman and Iran Pakistan had denied Indian presidential flights during periods of bilateral tension, such as in 2019 for President Ram Nath Kovind’s travel to Iceland. Earlier, Pakistan had denied permission to PM Narendra Modi in 2019 during his Germany visit just after the abrogation of Article 370, but gave permission for his 2021 US visit. MURMU’s VISIT 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 then President K. R.
Narayanan visited Portugal, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. Murmu will meet and hold delegation level talks with Sousa. She will also meet the Prime Minister of Portugal, 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. At the invitation of the President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini, Murmu will also visit the Slovak Republic from April 9-10.
This will be the first visit by the President of India to Slovakia in 29 years. Murmu will hold bilateral meetings with Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico. Murmu will also meet the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Richard Rasi.
The President’s state visit 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.
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