'I am an
overseas Indian citizen': Know European Council President Antonio Costa's India
connection
Ajaypal
Choudhary
Edited By
Ajaypal Choudhary
Published:
Jan 27, 2026, 16:40 IST | Updated: Jan 27, 2026, 17:28 IST
'I am an
overseas Indian citizen': Know European Council President Antonio Costa's India
connection
Story
highlights
Before
becoming president of the European Council, Antonio Costa served as Prime
Minister of Portugal.
European
Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday (Jan 27) proudly stated his Indian
heritage after the European Union signed a comprehensive trade agreement with
New Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Costa showed his
overseas Indian card and highlighted how the conclusion of negotiation are
significant for him.
"I'm
the President of the European Council, but I'm also an overseas Indian citizen.
Then, as you can imagine, for me it has a special meaning," he said.
"As
the two largest democracies in the world, we are working hand in hand to
deliver concrete benefits for our citizens and to shape a resilient global
order that underpins peace and stability, economic growth and sustainable
development," Costa added.
Costa's
Goan roots
Costa
spoke proudly of his Indian heritage and revealed his special bond with the
country: "I'm very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father's family came
from, and the connection between Europe and India is something personal to
me."
Costa's
father, Orlando da Costa, was a renowned writer whose family originally hailed
from Margão in Goa, then a Portuguese territory. His paternal grandfather was
born in Goa.
Journey
to the President of the European Council
Born in
Lisbon in 1961, Antonio Costa’s journey to becoming President of the European
Council is a compelling story shaped by public service and his Goan roots.
Trained as a lawyer, Costa entered politics early and steadily rose through
Portugal’s ranks, serving as a parliamentarian, minister, and later Mayor of
Lisbon, where his inclusive style earned wide recognition.
In 2015,
he became Prime Minister of Portugal, leading the country through economic
recovery and social reforms while strengthening Portugal’s standing in Europe.
His consensus-building skills and diplomatic experience eventually propelled
him to the European stage. In 2024, EU leaders chose Costa as European Council
President, a role he assumed in December. Throughout his career, Costa has
openly acknowledged his Indian heritage, often describing his Goan roots as a
personal bridge between Europe and India.
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário