New Delhi, Dec. 26: The Portuguese Foreign Minister, Dr. Mario Soares, who is arriving in New Delhi to-morrow accompanied by an 11-member delegation, will sign a treaty on December 31 formally recognising India’s sovereignty over Goa, Diu, and Daman and re-establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, which were snapped in 1957, long before the liberation of the former Portuguese possessions. After he has called on the President, Mr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, and the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the Portuguese Foreign Minister will have a detailed discussion with the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Kewal Singh, to-morrow afternoon on the exact phraseology to be used in the treaty document for completing this formality in accordance with the relevant international precedents that would be applicable in this case. The treaty signed by France had transferred the sovereignty to India over Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe, while in the case of Goa, Diu and Daman, there is need for only a formal recognition by Portugal of the de facto position.
Published – December 27, 2024 04:10 am IST
