The first European to reach India by sea was Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer. His voyage, which commenced in 1497, was significant as it established a sea route from Europe to India, facilitating direct trade in spices and other goods. Da Gama's journey rounded the Cape of Good Hope and ultimately led him to the Indian city of Calicut, where he sought to establish trade relations. This achievement opened the floodgates for European exploration and colonization in Asia, marking the beginning of a new era of global trade and interaction that profoundly affected cultural and economic exchanges across continents.