Treaty between Portugal and India
March 14, 1975

[ On December 19, 1961, the Indian army marched into Goa, Damao & Diu and annexed the territories. The small enclaves Dadra and Nagar Haveli had been annexed on August 2, 1954.  After several years of expected but totally fruitless recriminations and animosity, and the return of democracy to Portugal, the two countries did the sensible thing.

Both Portugal & India realised that there was more to gain from friendship than from animosity. In 1975, the foreign ministers of the two countries, Mario Soares for Portugal and Yeshwantrao Chavan for India, signed a treaty which finally paved way for full diplomatic relationships between the two countries.  It is worth noting that since the 1975 reproachment Portugal has afforded India significant assistance with regards to access to the European Economic Community.

TGF supports this 1975 treaty between Portugal and India.

We believe that more can be gained by being friends, and more lost by continued animosity.]

The Treaty

The Treaty signed between Portugal & India on March 14, 1975 acknowledges the full sovereignty of India on the territories of Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli effective from the date these territories became part of India under the Constitution of India.

Signed : March 14, 1975

Yeshwantrao Chavan                                                                         Mario Soares
Foreign Minister                                                                                      Foreign Minister
India                                                                                                          Portugal 

courtesy: United Nations Treaty series 1975: Vol: 982, pg: 159