India and Spain are intensifying their cooperation in multiple sectors, with a particular emphasis on defense and security, as demonstrated during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Spain from January 13-14. This visit, which followed a productive diplomatic exchange in October 2024 with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez’s visit to India, marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations.
The centerpiece of this strengthened defense collaboration is the C-295 aircraft assembly line at Vadodara, India. Jaishankar noted the importance of this project in advancing India-Spain defense ties, as it exemplifies the growing partnership in defense trade. Both sides agreed to deepen their cooperation in defense, with an emphasis on counter-terrorism efforts, defense trade, and military collaboration.
Jaishankar’s itinerary was rich in high-level meetings and engagements. He met King Felipe VI of Spain and President Pedro Sánchez, where he conveyed warm greetings from India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions with the Spanish leaders underscored the shared interest in enhancing economic, commercial, and strategic relations between the two countries. Both sides agreed on a comprehensive approach to strengthening ties across various sectors, including trade, defense, tourism, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, digital technology, and renewable energy.
One of the significant announcements during the visit was the agreement to celebrate 2026 as the “Dual Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI,” coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Spain. This initiative aims to deepen cultural and technological exchanges, while promoting greater collaboration between India and Spain in areas critical to future global challenges. Furthermore, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to foster cooperation in the fields of sports and sustainable urban development.
Jaishankar also participated in the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors, delivering a keynote address focused on India’s foreign policy with a distinct identity. This event highlighted India’s growing influence and its evolving diplomatic strategy, particularly in the context of global uncertainties. India’s strategic alliances, particularly with Spain, are viewed as key stabilizing factors in an increasingly turbulent world. Jaishankar stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation in multilateral forums like the United Nations and G20, while also emphasizing the necessity of working together to address global challenges, including climate action and economic recovery.
A notable aspect of the visit was Jaishankar’s participation in the ‘Strategic Alliances for a Changing World: Spain and India in the 21st Century’ conference, which brought together key Spanish think tanks, business leaders, and policymakers. He discussed the importance of strengthening the global economy through innovation, talent mobility, and increased collaboration. Jaishankar also noted Spain’s role in deepening EU-India ties, acknowledging that Spain’s influence within the European Union plays a pivotal role in advancing India’s relationship with the EU.
During his meetings with Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, the two ministers focused on the diverse range of cooperation between the two countries, including trade, investment, defense, and security. The trade volume between the two countries has reached 10 billion euros, and Jaishankar highlighted opportunities in sectors such as railways, smart cities, green hydrogen, and digital technologies. Both countries recognize the importance of a strong economic partnership, and Jaishankar urged Spanish businesses to further engage with India’s burgeoning markets.
Jaishankar also underscored India’s growing presence and interest in the Mediterranean region, citing strong trade ties and defense cooperation. India’s trade with Mediterranean countries stands at approximately USD 80 billion annually, and Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to becoming more involved in this region, particularly through green hydrogen projects and defense collaborations.
In conclusion, Jaishankar’s visit to Spain marked a pivotal moment in the bilateral relations between India and Spain. The discussions held during the visit touched on critical issues such as defense, regional security, technological collaboration, and multilateral cooperation. With both countries committed to deepening their ties, this visit paves the way for further collaboration and strategic alliances that will contribute to a more stable and prosperous global order.
