Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares visited India, strengthening diplomatic, trade, and cultural ties on the occasion of 70 years of bilateral relations.
At the invitation of Dr. S. Jaishankar, José Manuel Albares, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, visited India on 21 January 2026. During the visit, Minister Albares called on the Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji.
The two Ministers held delegation-level talks, reviewing the full spectrum of India-Spain relations, including trade and investment, defense and security, culture, tourism, and people-to-people ties. In 2026, India and Spain celebrated the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, marked as the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence. During the visit, the Ministers jointly launched the logo for the Dual Year celebrations.
Minister Albares expressed satisfaction at the regular political-level interactions and the institutional bilateral mechanisms between the two countries. Both Ministers discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment, including technology, renewable energy, defense industrial collaboration, urban infrastructure, and railways.
The Ministers also exchanged views on recent developments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, condemning terrorism in all its forms and emphasizing the need for international cooperation to combat it. Additionally, Minister Albares handed over to the EAM a declaration of Spain’s accession to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Source: MEA
