Union Minister S. Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) made a 2-day visit to Spain from January 13th to 14th, 2025 which marks his second visit to Spain and first visit as External Affairs Minister(EAM).
- The aim of the visit was to meet the leadership of Spain and hold wide range discussions with the Spain’s Foreign Minister Manuel Albares.
- He also addressed the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors and met the Indian community.
Note: Spanish President Pedro Sanchez made an official visit to India in October 2024 at the invitation of Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi.
Highlights of the visit:
i.During his visit to Spain, Union Minister Jaishankar met the Spanish King Felipe VI and President Pedro Sanchez.
ii.Both the countries discussed upon bilateral partnerships including trade, investment, defense, security, urban development, railways, green hydrogen, climate action and people-to-people ties.
- They also discussed ways of increasing collaboration in new and emerging sectors of digital technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Renewable Energy(RE), and space.
iii.During the meeting, India and Spain signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) that focused on cooperation in sports and sustainable urban development.
iii.Addressing the Indian diaspora in Spain, Union Minister Jaishankar highlighted that 2026 has been designated as a ‘Dual Year’ to celebrate cultural exchange, tourism, and advancements in AI between the two nations.
- He also announced that Spain will establish a consulate in Bengaluru(Karnataka) to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Spain.
iv.He mentioned that over 230 Spanish companies currently operate in India and urged Spain to contribute to India’s “Make in India” initiative.
- The two countries have made significant developments in defense and security, with special focus on setting up of C-295 Aircraft Assembly line plant at Vadodara, Gujarat.
9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors:
i.On January 13 2025, Union Minister Jaishankar was addressed at the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors held in Madrid, Spain .The theme of the Conference was ‘A Foreign Policy with Our Own Identity’.
ii.He became the first foreign ambassador /foreign minister to address the global conference of Spanish ambassadors.
Points to Note:
i.India’s annual trade with Mediterranean countries stands at USD 80 billion and its companies operating ports in the Mediterranean region and involvement in defense, security, and green hydrogen projects.
ii.India and Spain currently have an annual trade worth USD 10 billion, with collaborations in railways, clean technology, drones, and space exploration.
About Spain:
Prime Minister(PM)– Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón
Capital– Madrid
Currency– Euro(EUR)
