21 The Portuguese state of Goa

"Yes, yes." Pedro hurriedly took the words over and somewhat borrowed the slope and said, "Portugal has always been very friendly to Britain and has never wanted to change this amicable relationship."

"Alan is a bit young and not quite able to be objective about the relationship between countries and nations." John collected his smile and said softly, "I personally am very convinced of Portugal's friendly position, in fact our two countries still have many common interests, otherwise we would not have invited you, sir, to such an, informal and important private gathering today."

Several modifiers were used in succession, indicating the purpose of today's meeting, the subtext was to tell Pedro that after today the two might not admit that there was such a gathering.

Obviously Pedro understood and nodded solemnly, "I would like to be able to establish a precious friendship with the two of you."

Portugal is also a leader of dictatorial nature? Ambiguous relations with Italy and Germany? So what?

As we all know, the British Empire never distinguishes between friend and foe by moral standards. It is the tradition of the British Empire to unite with the Dutch to fight the Spaniards, to unite with Germany to check and balance France, and to unite with France to check and balance Germany.

Portugal is not so strong that it is valued by Britain, just because Salazar is a dictator? Britain will be looking for trouble with Portugal? Those old men in London don't have such high moral standards.

So after a brief outburst, John felt the atmosphere was about right and got straight to the point, expressing a great willingness to maintain the current relationship with the Portuguese, especially on the subcontinent.

"Here in South Asia, in fact, we in Britain and Portugal share common interests, in the final analysis we are European countries. The world's colonial empires are not just one British Empire, more or less, in addition to Germany and Italy, many countries have a number of colonies, these colonies in the future in what position!" Alan Wilson cocked his head at John and nodded, "This is a very important issue, and we also hope to maintain the current rapprochement."

"The British Empire has always taken a tacit attitude toward Portuguese Goa and has not fought Goa, but if it were an Indian politician instead, he would not think so." John shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands helplessly, "It is a well-known fact that the Congress side means to have the entire suzerainty of British India."

"The other fact is that there also seems to be a Congress Party base in Portuguese Goa." Alan Wilson gave a bitter laugh and said, "This is more difficult, in short, in the not too distant future, the Portuguese Goa Viceroyalty, facing what seems to be no small problem."

"Goa is part of Portugal, this is a well-known fact." Pedro's expression became solemn and frowned, "Goa has been a Portuguese territory for close to five hundred years, and at that time British India did not even know where it was?"

Alan Wilson reached out and waved his hand, indicating a moment of peace, and said with a look of regret, "This kind of rhetoric, for us gentlemen is useful, but for nationalists is of limited use, the real well-known is that nationalists are usually unreasonable, they only believe in their own favorable rhetoric, deaf to the objective and neutral facts, according to my years of experience in India work experience in India, this is still especially true of Indian nationalists."

While the two Toa commissioners and the representative of the Portuguese Governor General were laughing and joking, the representatives of the Toa states in the other place were also talking to each other.

The promises of the Congress Party were not very attractive to the big native states on the subcontinent. These big states will not be attracted by small profits, the NCP's words are good, which is better than the monarch of these states themselves?

The situation in the South Asian subcontinent is very much like the Chinese Spring and Autumn Period, when the hegemonic powers led the smaller ones to cope with everyone's problems.

These alliances are usually done in private, but like this time the vast majority of large earth states are present, is extremely rare.

And this time it was different again from the past, because representatives of the Portuguese viceroyalty appeared.

"In fact, I'm a little puzzled, what can Goa help England?" Pedro said with some confusion, "With the ability of the British Empire, it does not need our help."

"There are some things that we may not be able to do well in the future." Alan Wilson said with a programmed smile, "Things might be a lot better with Goa in Portugal's hands. It wouldn't just help us, it would be good for Portugal too."

The glory of Portugal's great seafaring days was thoroughly history, replaced by backwardness and poverty. Although centuries of overseas trade and colonization had brought countless riches to Portugal, they ultimately did not translate into real development. This wealth was concentrated in the hands of the royal family, the nobility and the clergy, similar to that of Spain, another neighboring country that had a civil war that brought Franco to power.

Most of it was spent on luxury consumption rather than production, so the real standard of living of the people did not improve much. To make matters worse, the inflow of wealth also led to inflation, making Portuguese products uncompetitive in the European market, creating a serious trade deficit and making Portugal the most backward country in Europe.

The republicans did not change this situation, Salazar took advantage of the historical stage, through the dictatorship of the struggle to reform, Portugal has improved a little, but is still the most backward country in Europe.

However, it depends on who you compare, Portugal's backwardness refers to the backwardness in the European context, British India? The level is not as good as Portugal, British India was defined as a dumping ground for British industrial products, the first step is to kill the traditional Indian textile industry, most of the South Asian market is occupied by Britain, but Portugal because of Goa's relationship, always able to share a little benefit.

At present, Portugal in the South Asian subcontinent also belongs to the vested interests, which is what Alan Wilson said, Portugal and Britain have common interests.

Facilitate a certain degree of Portuguese cooperation in India and Britain, how to think is not a bad thing.

"To be honest, do you think much of the Portuguese? How much can Portugal's national power help us?" Waiting until after Pedro went to the side of the representatives of the Turkish state, John asked his question, apparently he was not so subdued as he appeared to be.

"Portugal is a strongman political state, and we are a British-style democracy, democracy this thing to discuss to discuss, discuss out opinions what is too late." Alan Wilson pursed his lips and asked rhetorically, "Do you think it is not the truth? If Goa is in our hands, Britain is in the position of the Portuguese, the Indians launched an attack on us how to do?"