Indian Embassy flags targeting of Indian community in Portugal

The Embassy of India in Lisbon has expressed concern regarding the “unwarranted targeting” of the Indian community and its places of worship in Portugal. This follows an incident of discrimination and vilification that resulted in an altercation at the Odivelas Gurudwara on October 4.

In a statement, the Embassy highlighted the positive contributions of the Indian diaspora to Portugal and emphasized India’s tradition of religious tolerance. The mission requested continued support from Portuguese authorities to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of the community and to prevent further discrimination.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Portugal is home to a significant Indian-origin population, including more than 25,000 Indian nationals and approximately 9,500 OCI/PIO card holders, primarily located in the Lisbon metropolitan area, Porto, and the Algarve region.