The connection between India and Portugal spans over five centuries, beginning with the renowned Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama's historic voyage to Calicut (Kozhikode) in Kerala in May 1498. This journey marked the discovery of a direct sea route between Europe and India, revolutionizing trade across the Atlantic Ocean and the African continent. Portugal's newfound access to India's lucrative spice market propelled it to prominence as a dominant colonial trading power.

In 1502, the Portuguese established a trading hub in Kollam (formerly Quilon) in Kerala, later expanding their presence to include territories such as Diu, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Goa by 1510. Goa emerged as the epicenter of Portuguese activity in the Orient, extending from Malacca in the east to Mozambique in the west.

Following India's independence in 1947, diplomatic relations were established with Portugal in 1949. However, tensions arose in 1950 when Portugal's dictator, Antonio Salazar, refused to relinquish control of the Portuguese enclaves. The situation escalated, leading to India's military intervention under "Operation Vijay," which liberated Goa on December 19, 1961, putting an end to over four centuries of Portuguese rule. Diplomatic relations were restored following Portugal's Carnation Revolution in April 1974, culminating in the signing of a treaty on December 31, 1974, recognizing India's sovereignty over the reclaimed territories.

Despite initial challenges, bilateral engagement gained momentum in the late 20th century, marked by presidential visits in the 1990s and significant exchanges during the early 2000s, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's attendance at the first India-EU Summit in Lisbon in 2000. Subsequent reciprocal visits by Prime Ministers António Costa and Narendra Modi in 2017, along with high-level engagements in 2019 and 2020, further strengthened contemporary relations between India and Portugal.