(THE GIST OF PIB) India’s Presidential Visit to Portugal and Slovakia

(APRIL-2025)

India’s Presidential Visit to Portugal and Slovakia

The President’s visit to Portugal and Slovakia represents a significant step in India’s foreign diplomacy, especially concerning strengthening engagement with Europe.

Geopolitical and Geographical Key Facts

Portugal

Portugal is the westernmost country in continental Europe, situated on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula.
It is bordered by Spain on the north and east, and the North Atlantic Ocean on the south and west.
Portugal also administers two autonomous regions: the Madeira and Azores archipelagos, located in the Atlantic Ocean.
Lisbon, its capital, is among the oldest cities in Europe, rich in maritime and colonial history.
Climate: The country experiences a maritime temperate climate—cool and rainy in the north, and warmer and drier in the south.
Terrain: The Tagus River flows westward and divides Portugal into mountainous northern regions and rolling plains in the south.
The highest point in Portugal is Ponta do Pico (Pico Alto), located in the Azores.

Visit to Portugal

The visit is historic, as it aligns with the 50th anniversary of India-Portugal diplomatic relations.
Bilateral trade between India and Portugal currently stands at USD 1.5 billion and is witnessing steady growth.
Notably, Portugal was the first European nation to sign a Migration and Mobility Agreement with India, showcasing the strength of people-to-people and institutional ties.

Slovakia

Slovakia is a landlocked country in Central Europe, strategically located at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe.
It shares borders with Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest.
The terrain is dominated by the Carpathian Mountain range, which includes the Tatra Mountains, a well-known tourist and ecological zone.
The highest peak is Gerlachovský Peak, part of the High Tatras.
Major rivers flowing through Slovakia include the Danube, Váh, and Hron, vital for inland navigation and hydroelectric power.

Visit to Slovakia

This visit coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Indian Embassy in Bratislava, underlining three decades of diplomatic engagement.
India’s gratitude is evident for Slovakia’s strategic support during the 2022 evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine, highlighting solidarity in times of crisis.