Explanation: Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama’s discovery of a new sea route to India in 1498 paved the way for European commerce with India. This led to the beginning of trade relations between the two countries. The Portuguese soon set up trading posts in Goa, Daman, Diu and Bombay. The next to arrive were the Dutch, the British-who set up a trading-post in the west-coast port of Surat in 1619 and the French. ....Read more