New Delhi witnessed a significant diplomatic engagement on Wednesday as Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares met with his Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar. Arriving on a two-day visit, Albares emphasized India’s rising stature as a reliable global partner committed to international law and multilateralism.
In delegation-level talks, the Spanish minister underscored the urgency of deepening bilateral ties. He particularly advocated for finalizing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling it a positive step forward. ‘For Spain, strengthening relations with a trustworthy nation like India—one that upholds the UN Charter and believes in multilateralism—is crucial,’ Albares stated.
Highlighting concrete examples of collaboration, Albares pointed to the partnership between Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems as a model of successful cooperation. He announced that Spanish President Pedro Sanchez plans to visit India soon and expressed hopes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reciprocal trip to Spain.
The discussions also touched on strategic upgrades. Albares expressed Spain’s desire to elevate ties to a strategic association level, the highest tier reserved for closest friends. He thanked India for its solidarity during Spain’s challenging times, including the recent train accident in Admuruz, where External Affairs Minister Jaishankar had offered condolences.
Looking ahead, Albares reaffirmed commitment to working bilaterally and multilaterally, including in the Indo-Pacific initiative. He presented a letter underscoring Spain’s enthusiasm for deeper involvement. This meeting signals a robust future for India-Spain relations amid evolving global dynamics.