Complementarity of Interests
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, and, at the invitation of President Marcelo Rebelo de Souza, President Droupadi Murmu paid a state visit to Portugal on April 6-9. The day after her arrival she held discussions with her counterpart. A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) media release noted that the two leaders “discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and global and regional issues of shared interest”.
It also stated “The President said that India-Portugal relations are historic and these have continued to grow stronger and have evolved into a modern, multifaceted and dynamic partnership. She stressed the need to further strengthen long-standing bilateral ties, especially in trade and investment, science and technology, IT and digital technology, renewable energy, connectivity and mobility”.
It is true that India-Portugal relations are rooted in history but that history has not always been a happy one. Portugal was the first European country to establish enclaves in India after its famous explorer Vasco de Gama found the sea route to this country with the help of Arab seamen who were familiar with the Arabian sea and had used it for taking traders from India’s southern coast to Arab lands and bringing Arab traders to India. That well established trading system was adversely impacted by the far more powerful Portuguese ships. Vasco de Gama reached Kerala where its rulers allowed the Portuguese to trade. By 1512 the Portuguese had firmly established themselves in Goa and used it as a base to spread their tentacles into other parts of Asia.
By the time the Portuguese rule was ended through a short military action by the Indian army in December 1961, this European country had ruled Goa for 450 years. There were periods of great persecution of the local population during this period but a comprador class also developed that acted as a cultural and intellectual link between Goa and Portugal. When India became independent of the British, enclaves of two other European counties were on its territory. These were French and Portuguese. It was assumed that both would see the writing on the wall and enter into agreements with Delhi to hand over their possessions smoothly.
The French did so though they dragged the discussions, finally leaving Puducherry only in 1954. However, Portugal under its dictator Antonio Salazar stubbornly held on to Goa and its other enclaves of Daman and Diu till the Indian military action. He was overthrown in 1974 by the Portuguese people. The new government began the process of de jure recognition of Indian sovereignty in Goa, Daman and Diu; this was completed in June 1975. It paved the way for the restoration of diplomatic ties.
The past fifty years have witnessed the transformation of the world and along with it India and Portugal have also undergone great changes. The latter has got integrated into the European Union while Indian economy has grown exponentially. Many EU countries, including Portugal, see opportunities in India in economic and commercial fields. On its part, as India’s service industry is growing, it is keen that its technically qualified manpower has the mobility to be able to work in the EU. There is therefore a complementarity of interests which drives the India-Portuguese relationship. This is politically and diplomatically recognised in both Delhi and Lisbon. It has led to an exchange of several high level visits which have nourished the relationship; President Murmu’s being the latest. It is also noteworthy that Portugal has cooperated with India in combatting crime and terror in the past.
There is no doubt that future years will witness India-Portugal ties move on a positive trajectory. This will include the area of tourism because more Indians belonging to other parts of the country are visiting Portugal because they find it a congenial country. Of course, for a substantial number of Goans, Portugal continues to have a special place. It is also noteworthy that a person of partly Indian heritage, Antonio Costa, has remained as Portugal’s Prime Minister. He visited India and specially went to the land of some of his ancestors’ roots.
All this, however, does not fully explain India’s decision to become an ‘associate observer’ of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). It was established in 1996 in Lisbon and has Angola, Brazil, Cape Vede, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor Leste and Equatorial Guinea as members. India has held a CPLP cultural festival and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations organized a ‘Celebration of World Portuguese Language Day’ in May 2022. There can be no objection to establish linkages with other countries and groups but India does not need the crutch of former colonial powers to do so.
It has a great international personality of its own and its role in the de-colonisation movement is still recalled with admiration in large parts of Africa and other regions which suffered from colonial exploitation. Indeed, India must now move to ensure that the Commonwealth becomes a more equal organization and moves out of the shadow of the British Royal Family. It was only because India accepted that King Charles would be accepted as Head of the Commonwealth after the demise of Queen Elizabeth that this ‘succession’ was smooth. That should in no way become a precedent.
Former Portuguese PM Antonio Costa conceded that India and Portugal have to encourage bilateral trade and investments. His words have to be taken seriously by both governments so that the full potential of the relationship can be realised.
