Spanish President Pedro Sánchez’s India Visit on the Cards, Spain Pushes Deeper Ties With New Delhi

Spain’s President Pedro Sánchez is expected to visit India soon, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said on Wednesday, signalling growing momentum in bilateral ties as the two countries explore upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership.

Delivering opening remarks during talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, Albares said Madrid is keen to deepen engagement with India both bilaterally and through the European Union. He also expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be able to visit Spain in the near future.

“President Sánchez will be very soon here in India for an official visit, and I hope that Prime Minister Modi will be able to visit Spain as well,” Albares said, adding that Spain is ready to work closely with India in multilateral forums.

The Spanish foreign minister said Spain would be happy to join the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative and has formally conveyed its intent through a letter presented to Jaishankar. He also said Spain wishes to upgrade ties with India to a strategic association, the highest level of partnership Spain shares with close allies.

Albares thanked Jaishankar for India’s message of solidarity following a deadly train accident in Spain that claimed over 40 lives, calling it a gesture deeply appreciated by the Spanish people.

He also highlighted the launch of the logo for the Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence, which marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain in 2026. Albares said the logo reflects the shared vision of the two countries and noted that the initiative involved public participation through a crowdsourcing process.

Speaking on the evolving global order, Albares said it was especially important for Spain to strengthen relations with a “reliable country like India,” which believes in international law, the United Nations Charter and multilateralism.

He said the early conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement would be a positive signal, noting that both India and Spain are among the world’s fastest-growing economies. Albares said expanded trade ties, along with greater business presence in each other’s markets, would benefit companies on both sides.

Pointing to defence and industrial cooperation, Albares cited the Airbus–Tata partnership as a model for future collaboration. He also expressed hope that the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries would continue.

Albares arrived in India earlier on Wednesday. The Ministry of External Affairs said he will hold discussions with Jaishankar on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. The visit comes as the European Union signals progress toward finalising a Free Trade Agreement with India, described by EU leaders as a landmark deal.

(With inputs from ANI & yMedia)