EU Leader António Costa Emphasizes Personal Connection to India During Historic Trade Deal Announcement
In a moment that blended personal heritage with international diplomacy, European Council President António Costa made a heartfelt declaration about his Indian roots during a significant bilateral event in New Delhi. Speaking at Hyderabad House alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Costa revealed his deep personal connection to India while announcing a groundbreaking trade agreement.
A Proud Display of Overseas Indian Citizenship
During his press statement, President Costa reached into his suit pocket and produced his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, presenting it to the assembled gathering. "I am the President of the European Council, but I am also an overseas Indian citizen," he declared, adding that this dual identity gives special meaning to the strengthened partnership between Europe and India.
The OCI card, which Costa received in 2017 while serving as Portugal's prime minister, was personally conferred by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who at the time described Costa as "the best of the Indian diaspora across the world." The OCI Scheme, introduced through amendments to the Citizenship Act of 1955 in August 2005, provides foreign nationals of Indian origin with a multiple-entry, life-long visa for visiting India, though it does not grant political rights according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Ancestral Ties to Goa and Historical Context
Costa expressed particular pride in his family's origins in Goa, the coastal state that was under Portuguese colonial rule for centuries before its liberation on December 19, 1961. "I am very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father's family came from," he stated, emphasizing that the connection between Europe and India holds personal significance for him.
Interestingly, Costa was born in Lisbon, Portugal on July 17, 1961—just five months before Goa gained independence from Portuguese control. This historical timing adds depth to his personal narrative of bridging European and Indian identities.
Historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement
The emotional moment occurred against the backdrop of a major diplomatic achievement: the sealing of an ambitious free trade agreement between India and the European Union. Described as the "mother of all deals," this FTA represents a significant milestone in bilateral relations, coming at a time of global trade disruptions and policy uncertainties.
"Today is a historic moment," Costa proclaimed. "We are opening a new chapter in our relations—on trade, on security, on people-to-people ties." He emphasized that the summit sends a clear message to the world: "At a time when the global order is being fundamentally reshaped, the European Union and India stand together as strategic and reliable partners."
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Beyond the trade agreement, India and the 27-nation European Union bloc unveiled a joint comprehensive strategic agenda for the next five years and finalized 13 separate pacts. This expanded partnership reflects their shared vision for a rules-based global order and represents what Costa called "taking our partnership to the next level."
The EU leader noted that negotiations for the trade deal were relaunched during a leaders' meeting he hosted in May 2021 in his previous capacity, highlighting the sustained diplomatic effort behind this achievement. The combination of Costa's personal story with this substantial diplomatic breakthrough created a powerful narrative of connection between two major global entities.
