June 2016 \ Interviews \ India and Portugal
“There is a growing interest in Portugal about India”

Ever since the Carnation Revolution that restored democracy in Portugal, its ties with India have been on an upswing. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were revived in 1975, paving the way for several high level visits. H.E. Mario Soares visited India both as Prime Minister (1984 for the funeral of Mrs Indira Gandhi) and as President of Portugal (1992 as Chief Guest at the Republic Day). President Anibal Cavaco Silva and Prime Minister Jose Socrates visited India, both in 2007. From the Indian side, President R Venkatraman (1990) and President K R Narayanan (1998) made state visits to Portugal. As Prime Minister, Mr A B Vajpayee attended the India-Portugal Summit in 2000. Several other Parliamentary level and ministerial visits have followed. Now there is a definite buoyancy and momentum in relations that cannot be missed. Ambassador Joao da Camara spoke to Editor and Publisher Sayantan Chakravarty on a range of issues ...

Apart from mainland Portugal, please tell us a bit about the offshore islands that can be discovered by touring Indians?

We have Madeira and Porto Santo, for instance. Winston Churchill used to call it the Pearl of the Atlantic. It is a lovely place, good enough to steal your heart. And then you have the Azores archipelago, which are 9 islands, located about midway between Europe and the USA. They are somewhat less touristy, but beautiful nevertheless. While Madeira is about two hours away from Lisbon, the Azores is a bit more than 3 hours. There are good flight connections, and infrastructure is quite good for those who want to explore these islands.

There is a strong Indian diaspora in Portugal of about 70,000 concentrated mostly in Lisbon and Porto. What kind of a proactive role is it playing in furthering ties between the two nations?

Indeed, they are playing a proactive role. They are a bridge between Portugal and India, without a shadow of doubt. They have family here, and also there. They have businesses here, and also back home. They are good representatives of India in Portugal. You see, relations can be built between Governments, and between institutions, but people to people relations are perhaps the most significant. And the diaspora is in a position to do so. Before coming here, I met different groups including Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian ones of Indian origin. They are all very well integrated in Portugal, some have even been around for 4 or 5 generations. But they never lost their touch with India. They continue to come and go, and so yes, they are a fundamental instrument in furthering relations between the two nations.

 

You have a new Prime Minister who has an Indian origin from his paternal side. Will it also help in boosting ties, friendship and bilateral trade and commerce with India?

I think, yes, very much so. As you well mentioned, our Prime Minister’s father was born in India, and then I think he moved to Mozambique before embarking for Portugal. Our Prime Minister was born in Portugal. When he was very young, his father brought him to India, to let him know where his roots were, and after that he visited a few more times. I hope he will be able to soon make an official trip here. He is very proud of his Indian origin. And I hope this contributes to the strengthening of ties between the two countries. He is the only European Prime Minister with an Indian origin.




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