Mon Apr 07 18:45:49 UTC 2025: **Lisbon Honors Indian President Murmu with City Key**

LISBON, PORTUGAL—President Droupadi Murmu of India was bestowed the Key of Lisbon, making her an honorary citizen of the city, during a two-day state visit to Portugal. The ceremony, held at the historic Camara Municipal de Lisboa, included a Guard of Honor and was attended by a large number of Indian expats.

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas welcomed President Murmu, highlighting the strong cultural ties between India and Portugal, spanning centuries and encompassing art, culture, cuisine, yoga, and Ayurveda. He emphasized the shared sense of responsibility in international affairs and praised the Indian diaspora’s significant contributions to Portuguese society and economy. The Mayor also cited Prime Minister Modi’s “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) philosophy as a guiding principle for social harmony and cooperation.

President Murmu, in her address (delivered partly in Portuguese), reciprocated the sentiments, noting Portugal’s crucial role in fostering India’s relations with the European Union and Lusophone countries. She also highlighted the substantial contributions of the Indian diaspora, numbering approximately 125,000 in Portugal, forming a vital part of the nation’s social and economic fabric.

Mayor Moedas also lauded India’s booming tech sector, noting the presence of over 110 unicorn companies, exceeding the total in the entire European Union. He contrasted this with Lisbon’s own innovation initiatives, such as the “Unicorn Factory,” which has attracted numerous tech companies and created thousands of jobs. He stressed the importance of innovation benefiting the common good.

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