European Council Chief Shows OCI Card, Says Proud of Goa Roots

European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa on Tuesday publicly highlighted his Indian roots, showing his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and expressing pride in his Goan heritage. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the India-EU Free Trade Agreement signing, Costa called the India-Europe relationship “something personal” to him.

Costa thanked PM Modi for inviting him as a chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations, calling the event “an impressive display of India’s capabilities and diversity.” He described the FTA signing as “a historic moment” and said it opens a “new chapter in relations on trade, security, and people-to-people ties” between India and Europe.

Born in Lisbon in July 1961 to a Portuguese-French mother and a Goan father, Costa’s paternal family hails from Margao in Goa. His father, Orlando António Fernandes da Costa, moved to Portugal at the age of 18 and was a prominent writer and member of the Portuguese Communist Party. Costa maintains strong personal ties to Goa, including an ancestral home on Abade Faria Road where relatives still reside.

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Costa visited Goa in 2017 on a personal trip to see his family home and explore his heritage. During the press meet, he emphasized the emotional significance of his roots, saying, “I’m the President of the European Council, but I’m also an overseas Indian citizen. For me, this has special meaning.”

His remarks underscore the cultural and historical links between India and Europe, which he said go beyond trade and diplomacy. Costa’s acknowledgment of his Goan roots comes at a time of growing India-EU cooperation, exemplified by the recent FTA, which is expected to deepen economic, security, and people-to-people engagement.

The European Council chief’s personal connection to India also reflects a broader narrative of diaspora influence in global diplomacy, showing how shared heritage can complement official state-level engagements. Costa’s pride in Goa resonates as a symbolic bridge between Europe and India, reinforcing ties rooted in history and culture.

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