I’m also an overseas Indian citizen; proud of my roots in Goa: European Council president
Speaking in a press release at Hyderabad House in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU leader said that he was “also an overseas Indian citizen” as he took out his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card from his suit pocket and showed it to the meeting.
The OCI Program, which is aimed at foreign nationals of Indian origin, was implemented in August 2005 by amending the Citizenship Act of 1955.
A registered OCI is issued a multiple-entry, multi-purpose, lifetime visa to visit India. However, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, OCI does not grant political rights.
Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday hosted von der Leyen and Costa here for India-European Union (EU) summit talks, amid fresh cracks in relations between Europe and the US.
EU leaders hosted the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Road as chief guests on Monday.
In his speech, Costa said, “Dear Prime Minister Modi, thank you for welcoming us on this special day. Yesterday, we had the privilege of being your Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations, where India’s talents and diversity were impressively showcased.” he said. India and Europe on Tuesday announced the signing of an ambitious free trade agreement (FTA), billed as the “mother of all agreements”; This agreement emerged against a backdrop of a fragile global environment and trade disruptions largely caused by Washington’s tariff policy.
Costa also said in his speech: “Today is a historic moment. We are opening a new page in our relations, trade, security and people-to-people relations.”
“I am the President of the European Council, but I am also an Indian citizen living abroad. As you can imagine, this has a special meaning for me. I am proud of my roots in Goa, where my father’s family is from. The connection between Europe and India is a personal thing for me,” he said.
Goa, a Portuguese territory for centuries, was liberated from Portuguese colonial rule on 19 December 1961.
Costa was born in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 17, 1961, about five months before the liberation of Goa.
India and the EU, a bloc of 27 countries, have set a common and comprehensive strategic agenda for the next five years in line with the vision of a rules-based global order and strengthened 13 agreements, including one on the conclusion of FTA negotiations.
“Moreover, as we concluded our trade negotiations today, we have resumed the Leaders meeting, which I am delighted to host in May 2021. Our summit sends a clear message to the world: at a time when the global order is fundamentally reshaped, the European Union and India stand together as strategic and reliable partners.” he said.
“Today we are taking our partnership to the next level,” Costa said.
