Vasco da Gama's sea route to Kerala led to over 450 years of Portuguese presence in India
Background
The Embassy of India in Lisbon says Vasco da Gama led an expedition to Calicut (Kozhikode) in Kerala in May 1498, the first direct sea route between Europe and India. Operation Vijay liberated Goa on 19 December 1961, ending over 450 years of Portuguese rule. A treaty signed on 31 December 1974 recognised India's sovereignty over Goa, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and came into force on 3 June 1975. The embassy page gives India-Portugal trade in FY 2025-26 as US$ 1,145.53 million and says official figures indicate that 98,616 Indian nationals live in Portugal.
Gama's landfall:
Calicut (Kozhikode), May 1498
Operation Vijay:
19 December 1961
Trade, FY 2025-26:
US$ 1,145.53 million
Indian nationals in Portugal (official figures):
98,616
Why it matters for exams: Gama's landing and the liberation of Goa are favourite history questions, and the 1974 treaty is the legal end of the dispute.
Kerala PSCUPSC