AKISTAN and Portugal have a longstanding relationship, with linguistic similarities between Urdu and Portuguese languages.

Portugal is a great land of explorers, travellers and traders whose close ties with South Asia span over five centuries since Vasco da Gama became the first European to land here by sea in 1498.

I have personally seen the warm and gracioushospitality of the talented and dynamic Portuguese people during visits to Lisbon, Porto and Madeira Islands. From iconic footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo, to revolutionaries like Alvaro Cunhal, to statesmen like the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Portugal has led with ideas and initiatives in all fields. •