A lighthearted and emotional moment unfolded during the announcement of the India-EU trade deal when European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa unexpectedly took out his OCI card and shared his personal connections with India. Alongside him on stage were Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Costa linked his family ties to Goa with the growing partnership between India and Europe.
Antonio Costa’s father was born and raised in Goa, a former Portuguese colony. After Goa gained independence, Costa’s father moved to Portugal at the age of 18. Costa reminisced about being called 'Babush' during his childhood, a popular nickname in the Konkani language.
Addressing a joint press briefing, Costa declared, 'While I am the President of the European Council, I am also an Overseas Indian Citizen.' With that, he proudly displayed his OCI card and elaborated on his ties to Goa, a revelation to many present there.
'It's easy to understand what this personal link means to me. I'm very proud of my Goan heritage, where my father's family comes from. The Europe-India relationship is personal to me as well,' Costa asserted. Antonio Costa has previously served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 2015 to 2024.
What is Antonio Costa’s Connection to Goa?
Costa’s visit to India is likely steeped in nostalgic memories from childhood. He previously visited India in 2017 while serving as Portugal’s Prime Minister, attending the English translation release of a play by his father, Orlando Costa, a renowned poet and novelist.
Born in Lisbon in 1961, Costa first visited Goa as a teenager with his parents. His grandfather was born in Margao and spent much of his life there. Orlando Costa’s writings vividly reflect Goa, and he also wrote about Rabindranath Tagore.
During his 2017 visit to Goa, Costa said, 'Though my father moved to Lisbon, he never left Goa behind.' Goa remained a strong presence in his works.
Costa’s ancestral home, over 200 years old, still stands on Abade Faria Road in Margao, where other family members reside. In the 2017 visit, Costa toured the home and reunited with relatives. The 64-year-old is often referred to as the 'Gandhi of Lisbon' due to his calm demeanor and conversational style.
Now serving as the President of the European Council from Brussels, Costa’s speech on Tuesday truly conveyed that Goa continues to hold a cherished place in his heart.
