Pedro Sánchez reinforces strategic alliance between Spain and India as "partner and friend" in New Delhi

New Delhi (India)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, at the inauguration of the Hispanic-Indian mural in the Lodhi Art District (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo)

In a context marked by the growing geopolitical weight of the Indo-Pacific, the President of the Government of Spain reaffirmed Spain's commitment to deepening its relationship with India, emphasising that "it is already one of the main players in the global order, and Spain wants to work with India as a partner and friend".

On the first day of the trip, President Sánchez met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to whom he conveyed the desire to revitalise the political relationship at the highest level, with the firm objective of projecting a more influential joint voice on the international stage. Pedro Sánchez highlighted Spain's interest in the region and announced that this week the Government will present the new Spanish foreign policy strategy for Asia-Pacific. "Spain is a country with a global vocation and a desire to be where the world is changing at breakneck speed. India is one of those places", he affirmed.

On the other hand, the two leaders shared the need to continue making progress toward Artificial Intelligence that puts people at the centre. Artificial Intelligence is one of the key themes of this trip, as the president will participate this Thursday in the AI Impact Summit.

Economic boost: tourism and investment

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, together with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, and other participants in the meeting with Indian investors and representatives of the Spain-India CEO Forum | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The trip is also an opportunity to strengthen economic relations. Pedro Sánchez met with Indian investors from strategic sectors such as biotechnology, renewable energy, and logistics, to whom he conveyed the solid prospects of the Spanish economy and its attractiveness as an investment destination.

During this meeting, the President of the Government of Spain emphasised to the investors that Spain is a country in which to invest and is also a partner that offers stability, talent, and innovation, in addition to enjoying a strategic position. Thus, Spain, the main engine of economic growth in Europe, can serve as a bridge, not only for the European Union, but also for other markets with which we have connections to the South.

The President also had the opportunity to present tourism as a priority sector. Spain has consolidated its position as a leading tourist destination for the Indian market. In the last 15 years, the number of visitors from India has quadrupled.

This visit comes after the conclusion of negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union, following almost twenty years of dialogue. The President of the Government of Spain emphasised that this agreement opens up new opportunities for Spanish companies, farmers, and producers.

Artificial intelligence

The President travelled to India accompanied by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, and the Minister for Digital Transformation and Civil Service, Óscar López, as well as representatives of technology startups, with the aim of promoting cooperation in innovation.

Spain is the fifth largest European market for AI investment and a leader in open innovation. Given Europe's need for reliable partners in the technological sphere, he conveyed that India presents a strategic opportunity. In a meeting with the delegation of Spanish companies, the president highlighted India's technological talent, industrial capacity, regulatory culture, and start-up ecosystem, which is already competing in Europe.

Culture and audiovisual cooperation

The artists of the Hispanic-Indian mural in the Lodhi Art District | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

In the cultural sphere, on the occasion of the Spain-India Dual Year being celebrated in 2026, the president attended the dedication ceremony of a mural in a housing complex. The mural is the result of a collaboration between Spanish mural artist, SUSO33, recently awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts, and two Indian artists, as a symbol of the creative dialogue between the two societies.

He also presented, alongside the Indian Minister of Culture, the feature film Mudras, the first Spanish-Indian film co-production, marking a milestone in audiovisual cooperation between the two countries. "Both countries have strong audiovisual industries, and we are confident that this is just the beginning of many more projects together. The potential is enormous", he affirmed.

Non official translation