Portugal PM Antonio Costa arrives on seven-day visit to India

Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa arrived on a seven-day long official visit to India on Saturday. Earlier he was scheduled to arrive on Friday.

Costa, who traces his roots to Goa, said that his visit had a strong "emotional side and a personal motivation". "As a person of Indian origin I am honoured by invitation of PM Modi. I hope my visit will lay foundation for a robust and forward-looking 21st century partnership between India and Portugal," he said.

Delhi: Ceremonial reception for Portugal PM Antonio Costa at Rashtrapati Bhawan, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Z2A73GL6sF

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Costa will be holding official talks with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital. Several MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit that would set the agenda for India-Portugal relations. 

He will also attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas as the chief guest in Bengaluru on January 8 and participate in few business events. The Portugal Prime Minister will also attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit on January 10 at Gandhinagar.

In the last leg of his visit to India, he will be in Goa on 11-12 January. In Goa, he would be meeting the Governor and the Chief Minister. Costa will also spend some time at his ancestral place.