From Goa to Brussels: Antonio Costa’s Personal Link to a Landmark India–EU Moment
- InduQin
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Antonio Costa attended the India–EU trade deal signing in New Delhi, blending diplomacy with personal heritage.
At the 16th India-EU Summit, he highlighted his OCI status, drawing appreciation from PM Narendra Modi.
Costa’s roots trace back to Goa through his father, writer Orlando Costa.
His family history and cultural legacy add a personal dimension to India–EU relations.
The signing of a sweeping trade agreement between India and the European Union in New Delhi on Tuesday carried more than diplomatic significance for European Council President Antonio Costa. As India and the EU finalized what leaders described as the “mother of all deals,” Costa’s presence reflected not only his official role but also a deeply personal connection to the country.
Costa is no stranger to India. He previously visited in 2017 while serving as Portugal’s prime minister. This time, however, he chose to highlight a lesser-known aspect of his identity during the 16th India-EU Summit held on January 27. In a moment that drew warm reactions from those present, Costa proudly displayed his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, prompting a visible smile from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was joined at the event by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Roots in Goa, Identity Beyond Politics
Costa’s bond with India is rooted in family history, particularly in Goa, which was once a Portuguese colony. His father, Orlando Costa, was born and raised there before moving to Portugal at the age of 18 following Goa’s liberation in 1961. Orlando Costa later became a respected poet and novelist, carrying with him cultural and literary influences from his homeland.
Speaking at the joint briefing, Antonio Costa recalled growing up in Lisbon with a Konkani nickname—“Babush,” meaning “baby boy.” It was a lighthearted detail that underscored how closely his early life was shaped by Goan heritage, even while living in Europe.
“I am the President of the European Council, but I am also an overseas Indian citizen,” Costa said emotionally as he took the OCI card from his pocket. He described the moment as deeply meaningful, adding that he remains proud of his Goan roots and sees the relationship between India and Europe not just as a political partnership, but as something profoundly personal.
A Family Legacy Steeped in Culture
Born in Lisbon in 1961, Costa first traveled to Goa as a teenager with his parents. His family’s ties to the region extend back generations. His grandfather was born in Margao—also known as Madgaon—and spent much of his life there.
Orlando Costa’s literary work reflected these connections. Alongside strong Goan themes, his writings explored the philosophy and poetry of Rabindranath Tagore. This cultural bridge resurfaced during Antonio Costa’s 2017 visit to India, when he attended the launch of an English translation of one of his father’s plays.
“My father went to Lisbon but never left Goa,” Costa had remarked during that visit. “Goa was always present in his works.”
The family’s ancestral home, now more than two centuries old, still stands on Abade Faria Road in Margao. Members of Costa’s extended family continue to live there, and he made a point of visiting the house and spending time with relatives during his earlier trip.
As India and the EU move forward with an ambitious trade partnership, Costa’s story adds a human dimension to the diplomatic narrative—one shaped not only by policy and negotiation, but also by memory, heritage, and enduring cultural ties.
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