Portuguese PM arrives in Goa

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa landed in Goa, late on Tuesday, on a three-day official visit to the coastal state.

Costa, who is of Goan origin, was received at the INS Hansa base by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza and Portuguese Consul General Rui Baceira.

Costa, who had arrived in India on January 7, has already signed various pacts dealing with defence, security, I-T, renewable energy sectors and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before visiting Bengaluru and Gujarat.

In Goa, Costa has a packed agenda which includes meeting top officials and attending several social and cultural events.

He will receive a civic reception in the state capital in presence of prominent citizens of the state on Wednesday.

Costa, whose family hailed from Margao town in South Goa, will also release the English translation of his father Orlando Costa's book "Sem Caras Nem Coroas" on Wednesday.

He will also undertake two walking tours in the state capital's heritage areas, before visiting his ancestral home for a meal with close friends and family.

Costa will leave for Portugal via Mumbai early on Friday morning.

The Prime Minister's visit to Goa has already attracted controversy here, with regional political parties demanding an apology from Costa, for the atrocities committed by colonial Portuguese rulers in Goa, which was ruled by them for 451 years.

--IANS

maya/vd