'My Roots Are in Goa': European Council President Antonio Costa Flaunts OCI Card - WATCH

India and Europe on Tuesday announced the sealing of an ambitious free trade agreement, billed as "mother of all deals", that came against the backdrop of a fractious global environment and trade disruptions largely caused by Washington's policy on tariffs. At the joint press conference, President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, unexpectedly took out his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and spoke about his personal connection to India.Speaking about his Indian roots, European Council President Costa highlighted that he is an overseas Indian citizen and the deal holds a "special meaning" for him. He showed his overseas Indian card. The move attracted smiles from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU President Ursula von

der Leyen. "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. 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."

#WATCH | Delhi | President of the European Council, António Luís Santos da Costa, says, "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. I'm very proud of my roots in Goa, where my… pic.twitter.com/wDMuNbzr3h

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2026

"Our summit sends a clear message to the world. At a time when the global order is being fundamentally reshaped, the European Union and India stand together as strategic and reliable partners," he said. "Trade is a crucial geopolitical stabiliser and the fundamental source of economic growth. Trade agreements reinforce rules-based economic orderand promote shared prosperity. That's why the FTA is of historic importance", he added.

India Seals Free Trade Agreement with the European Union

India and Europe on Tuesday announced the sealing of the free trade agreement. Today, India has concluded the biggest free trade agreement in its history with the European Union, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after holding summit talks with the 27-nation bloc's top leaders, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa. The two sides also inked a strategic defence partnership pact and a mobility agreement.The prime minister said the India-EU partnership will help the world. "This is not just a trade agreement. This is a new blueprint for shared prosperity," PM Modi said in his media statement.Ursula Von Der Leyen said, "We are not only making our economies stronger. We are also delivering security for our people in an increasingly insecure world. Today, the world's two largest economies and democracies launched their first-ever security and defence partnership... Europe and India have a long history of cooperation in the defence industry..."

Highlights of India-EU FTA

The following are the highlights of the India-European Union free trade agreement,

• India, the 4th largest economy, and the European Union, the 2nd largest economy, comprising 25 per cent of Global GDP, account for one third of global trade.
• Over 99 per cent of Indian exports gain preferential entry into the EU, unlocking massive growth potential.
• Open new opportunities for MSMEs and create jobs for women, artisans, youth and professionals.
• USD 33 bn of exports in labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, marine products, gems and jewellery set to gain immensely from preferential access under the FTA.
• To bring down tariffs up to 10 per cent on almost USD 33 bn of exports to zero duty on the first day of the implementation of the pact
• On automobiles, a calibrated and carefully crafted quota-based liberalisation package
• Will not only allow EU auto makers to introduce their models in India in higher price bands but also open possibilities for Make in India and exports from India in future.
• Indian consumers to benefit from high-tech products and greater competition
• The reciprocal market access in the EU will also open up opportunities for India-made automobiles
• India has prudently safeguarded sensitive sectors, including dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, certain fruits and vegetables, balancing export growth with domestic priorities
• FTA provides measures to tackle non-tariff barriers through strengthened regulatory cooperation, greater transparency, and streamlined customs, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) procedures, and Technical Barriers to Trade disciplines
• Future-ready mobility framework expands global opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled Indian professionals
• Through CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism) provisions, commitments have been secured, including a forward-looking most-favoured nation (MFN) assurance extending flexibilities
• Certainty of market access, non-discriminatory treatment, focus on digitally delivered services, and ease of mobility will provide a boost to India's services exports
• India to get access to the EU's 144 sub-sectors like IT/ITeS, Professional Services, and Education Services
• The EU will get access to 102 sub-sectors offered by India
• It will bring in high-tech services and investment into India from the EU, resulting in a mutually beneficial arrangement.
• FTA provides a facilitative and predictable framework for business mobility covering short-term, temporary and business travel in both directions
• The EU and India are providing mobility commitments to each other for Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT) and Business Visitors, along with entry and working rights for dependents and family members of ICTs.
• The EU has also offered commitments in 37 sectors/sub-sectors for Contractual Service Suppliers (CSS) and 17 sectors/sub-sectors for Independent Professionals (IP).
• India also secured a framework to constructively engage on Social Security Agreements over a five-year horizon.
• India secures access for practitioners of Indian Traditional Medicine to work under home title in EU nations where traditional medical practices are not regulated
• FTA promotes cooperation to advance innovation and secure cross-border electronic payments
• EU becomes India's 22nd FTA partner.(With inputs from agencies)