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Horse Economic Forum

Alter do Chão – May 23, 2025

At the Portugal-India Business Hub (PIBhub), we have always believed that strong economic partnerships are built on cultural understanding and historical resonance. Few places reflected this spirit better than Alter do Chão, Portugal’s cradle of equestrian tradition, a place with profound, though often overlooked, connections to India.

The Horse Economic Forum brought the equine economy into focus, not only as a symbol of heritage but as a driver of rural innovation and sustainable development. PIBhub participated, deepening the growing economic and cultural ties between Portugal and India.

The presence of H.E. Puneet Roy Kundal, Ambassador of India to Portugal, added strong momentum to this dialogue. His message resonated clearly: India is open, trustworthy, and ready to grow with partners who value long-term cooperation.

The event also highlighted several fascinating ties between the two nations:

  • The Horse: In Portugal, the Cavalo Lusitano stands as a symbol of nobility, agility, and cultural pride; in India, the Marwari horse, with its distinctive inward-curving ears, embodies centuries of heritage, valour, and tradition. Both breeds reflect a shared civilizational reverence for the horse – as warrior, worker, and symbol. 
  • The Roman Mosaic: A remarkable Roman mosaic unearthed in Alter do Chão depicts Emperor Alexander in battle with Indian King Puru (Porus), a timeless testament to early East–West contact and the geographic limits of the Romans’ territory, preserved in stone and story. 
  • The Bastard Saffron: This rare botanical species, said to have arrived from India over five centuries ago, was brought by a Portuguese priest. It continues to grow in Alter do Chão, a living trace of ancient botanical and cultural exchange.
  • Sarapatel: A dish of deep flavour and shared soul, a culinary staple in both Alter do Chão and Goa, blending spices and tradition, and telling a tale of migration, adaptation, and belonging.

    These symbols are of a deeper narrative, one where heritage can serve diplomacy, and how culture can shape commerce.

At PIBhub, we remain committed to nurturing this connection through business, dialogue, and the timeless stories that continue to bind Portugal and India.

Image credit of Mosaic of Alexander of Macedonia in Portugal: Arunansh B. Goswami.