Embassy of India

Lisbon, Portugal

Embassy of India 

Lisbon

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PRESS RELEASE

         Hon’ble Speaker, Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla (HS) transited through Lisbon on 1-2 June

2025 while on his way to Brazil for the BRICS Parliamentary Forum meeting and then on 7 June on the way back to India.

2. On 2 June 2025, HS met with Mr. Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President (Speaker) of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal. HS conveyed his best wishes for his re-election as the President of the Parliament of Portugal. HS also discussed the scope of parliamentary cooperation between India and Portugal and invited Mr. Aguiar-Branco to visit India, which he accepted. Later in the day, HS attended a Reception hosted in his honour by Ambassador at India House during which he interacted with a wide cross section of people, including Members of Parliament, journalists, academia, government officials, community leaders, opinion makers and Indian researchers working in various universities and institutions of Portugal.  In his remarks, HS spoke about 50 years of the re-establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, and India’s fight against terror including Operation Sindoor. 
   
   
3. On his return journey on 7 June 2025, HS inaugurated ‘India Day’ at the Radha Krishna Mandir where he interacted with over 800 members of the Indian community. In his address, HS applauded the contributions made by the Indian community calling them a living bridge between the two countries. HS also spoke about India’s war against terror especially in the context of Operation Sindoor. He also paid tributes to the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi in addition to leading the devotees in offering Aarti at the Radha Krishna Mandir.
   
   
4. On the same day, HS also launched the 10th anniversary celebration of the International Day of Yoga in Portugal. He led a group of prominent members of the Indian community and Indian Embassy Officials in a meditation session marking the launch. The event was organised by the Indian Embassy in association with Isha foundation.
5. HS’ visit to Lisbon comes in the year when both countries are celebrating 50th

anniversary of re-establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Visit by HS is the second high level visit from India in 2025. Hon’ble President of India had visited Portugal in April 2025. Visit by HS is expected to give further boost to bilateral relations and reinvigorate parliamentary relations between the two countries. The visit also served to reiterate to the Portuguese leadership the importance that India places to its relations with Portugal.

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Lisbon, Portugal

11 June 2025