India and Spain have signed two memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries. The agreement was signed during External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishanakar's visit to Spain. Dr Jaishankar was on a two-day official visit to Spain on 13 & 14 January 2025 where he met senior leaders of the Spanish government.

This was the second visit to Spain by Dr Jaishankar. His previous visit was with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017.

The ties between India and Spain have gained strength in recent times with the successful visit of the President of the Government of Spain (Prime Minister) Pedro Sanchez to India in October 2024.

During the visit of Pedro Sanchez, both countries decided to celebrate 2026 as the “Year of Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

High-Level Meeting in Spain

During his visit to Spain, Dr. Jaishankar met the Spanish King Felipe VI and President Pedro Sanchez.

He also met the Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Roble. He said that the C-295 Aircraft Assembly Line Plant at Vadodara has been an important project and has taken the defence and security cooperation between the two countries to the next level. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the defence sector.

He also met the Foreign Minister of Spain Jose Manuel Albares

Two MoUs signed between India and Spain

During his meeting with the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, Dr Jaishankar discussed bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues.

The Ministers expressed satisfaction over the progress in diverse sectors including defence & security, trade & economy, culture, tourism, and people-to-people ties.

They also discussed ways of increasing collaboration in new and emerging sectors of digital technology, AI, renewable energy, and space

Two MoUs were signed between the two countries;

MoU on cooperation in sports;
Cooperation on sustainable urban development.

First foreign ambassador to address the Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors

During his visit to Spain, Dr. Jaishankar was accorded a rare honour as he was invited to deliver the Keynote Address at the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors. The theme of the Conference was ‘A Foreign Policy with Our Own Identity’.

Dr Jaishankar is the first foreign ambassador /foreign minister to address the global conference of Spanish ambassadors.

Later Dr Jaishankar also addressed the Indian Diaspora in Madrid, Spain.

About the Kingdom of Spain

The Kingdom of Spain is a West European country located on the Iberian peninsula.

Spain is a member of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation(NATO).

Capital: Madrid

Currency: Euro

King: Felipe VI

Prime Minister: Pedro Sanchez

Read About Pedro Sanchez's visit to India and its importance.