The first official visit to India by a Spanish leader in 18 years made by President Pedro Sanchez of Spain marks a significant turning point in the relationship between Spain and India. President Sanchez's visit - who was accompanied by his wife Begona Gomez - was intended to further the two countries' ties with an emphasis on defense cooperation, trade, and technology. During his first term in 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had traveled to Spain, an important European Union member.  

President Sanchez and PM Modi had high-level talks during this visit, and the two leaders officially opened the C295 aircraft's Final Assembly Line Plant in Vadodara, Gujarat, Modi's home state, a significant project under India's "Make in India" campaign.

This assembly factory is a major advancement for India's aviation and defense industries and is a part of a $2.5 billion deal between Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. By 2026, the first of the 56 C295 aircraft that will be produced at the site will be operational. Unquestionably, the Tata-Airbus agreement will improve the India Air Force's defense capabilities, promote Made in India, and give India's relations with Europe a new dimension. This event represented four major triumphs: one for India's defense industry, one for the civilian aerospace sector, one for Indian diplomacy in Europe, and one for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

India-Spain ties growing closer

In an effort to promote closer cooperation between the Spanish and Indian entertainment and economic sectors, Sanchez met with officials from Mumbai's thriving film industry, business executives, and entrepreneurs.  Numerous agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were made, strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas like defense, renewable energy, infrastructure, trade, investment and culture. Since Prime Minister Modi's 2017 trip to Spain, India and Spain, who have had a strong connection for decades, have become closer. 

The trip - coming as it does on the heels of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to New Delhi with a large delegation - is a reflection of Europe's increasing desire for greater collaboration with India. And growing Indo-Spanish trade and economic ties may expand further cooperation in commerce, investment, research, technology, education, defense, and security between Europe and India. 

The two nations already have strong trading relations; in 2023, bilateral commerce was $9.9 billion, with India purchasing $2.74 billion and sending $7.17 billion worth of commodities. With $4.2 billion in total foreign direct investment (FDI) stock between April 2000 and June 2024, Spain is also the 16th largest investor in India. Additionally, there are about 80 Indian businesses operating in Spain and about 230 Spanish businesses operating in India. People to people and cultural ties are also expanding. There are 75,000 Indians living in Spain, mostly in the Canary Islands, Valencia, Madrid, and Catalonia. Spain intends to have a consulate in Bengaluru soon, while India currently has a consulate general in Barcelona.

Europe warming up to India

India and Europe acknowledge the necessity of increased regional security cooperation in their shared neighborhood in the light of potential American isolationism, especially if Donald Trump returns to the White House. In the meanwhile, more Indian students are enrolling in European colleges, and Indian tourism in Europe is growing. Indian engineering and technology experts are being welcomed in Europe due to its own shortage of skilled manpower.

As both countries want to explore future cooperation, including the possible adoption of C295 aircraft types for India's Navy and Coast Guard, President Sanchez's visit is expected to provide this relationship a new boost, especially in areas like defense, economy and IT.

This visit  might pave the way for further industrial collaboration between Madrid and New Delhi, generating job opportunities and fortifying strategic partnerships as India establishes itself as one of the regional hubs for defense manufacturing. In terms of commerce, investment, defense cooperation, education, technology, tourism, culture, and people-to-people links, the visit underscores the importance attached by both countries to their bilateral partnership and the consistent upward trajectory of India-Spain relations.

(The author is a Dhaka-based independent columnist specialising in South Asian affairs. Views are personal. He can be contacted at ibrahimkhalilahasan@gmail.com)