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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
