On January 21, 2026, Jose Manuel Albares, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Spain undertook a one-day official visit to India at the invitation of Dr. S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Spain, which were established in 1956.
Exam Hints:
- What? Spain FM Jose Manuel Albares visited India
- Significance: 70 years of diplomatic ties between India and Spain
- Bilateral Meetings: With Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, MEA and President Droupadi Murmu
- Key outcome:
- Membership: Spain joined Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
- Launch of India-Spain Dual Year Logo
Highlights of Spain FM Jose Manuel Albares’s visit to India:
Bilateral Meetings:
MEA: During his visit to India, Spain FM Jose Manuel Albares held a bilateral meeting with Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, MEA at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Delhi. They reviewed India-Spain relations, including trade, investment, defense, culture, tourism, and people-to-people ties.
President Murmu: He also met President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. They emphasized cooperation on global issues through multilateral platforms such as the United Nations (UN) and Group of Twenty (G20).
Spain Joined Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI):
Joining: During the visit, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares presented the ‘Declaration of Accession’ to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, formally joining the Indo‑Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
- As part of the joining procedure, Spain and India agreed to upgrade their relationship to a “strategic association”, which is the highest level of diplomatic partnership accorded by India.
Enhanced Cooperation: With this move, India and Spain will work closely in key areas such as defence and maritime security, trade and investment, Renewable Energy (RE) and infrastructure, technology and innovation, and multilateral forums such as the UN, European Union (EU), and G20.
About IPOI: It is a multilateral initiative launched by GoI at the East Asia Summit, held in Bangkok (Thailand), in 2019, to promote a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
- It builds on India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region(SAGAR) initiative launched in 2015.
Launch of India-Spain Dual Year Logo:
Launch: During the visit, Spanish FM Jose Manuel Albares and Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, MEA and jointly unveiled the logo for the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence (AI), commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain.
Background: The logo was selected from over 1,900 entries submitted through an open competition.
Key Activities: During this Dual Year, India and Spain will organize cultural festivals, exhibitions and exchanges; promote tourism between India and Spain; encourage cooperation in science, technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI); and hold academic, business and people-to-people events.
Economic Cooperation: It aims to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen economic and technological ties.
About Spain:
Prime Minister (PM) – Pedro Sanchez
Capital – Madrid
Currency – Euro (EUR)
