Presentation of the Spain–India Report 2025-26: “Economy and Trade”
The Secretary of State for Trade chaired the presentation, which took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business | Download the Report
The Spain-India Council Foundation presented Document 2 of the Spain-India Report 2025-26: “Economic and Trade Relations” at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business. The document is one of the Report’s key updates and analyses an area of particular relevance to the bilateral relationship.
The Secretary of State for Trade highlighted in her remarks the complementarity between the Indian and Spanish economies, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, railways, digitalisation and advanced technologies. She welcomed events such as the presentation of the Report, which reaffirm the importance of continuing to build economic, trade and institutional bridges with partners such as India, which are set to play an increasingly important role in the global economy. She also noted that the European Union-India Free Trade Agreement will open up new opportunities that need to be seized.
In his dual role as President of the Spain-India Council Foundation and Executive Vice-Chairman of ACCIONA, Juan Ignacio Entrecanales highlighted the work carried out by the Spain-India Council Foundation for almost twenty years in building the bilateral relationship. From a business perspective, he pointed to the growing presence of Spanish companies in India, not only major corporations but also an increasingly diverse network of medium-sized engineering and technology companies, which he described as a sign of maturity. Nevertheless, he noted that the economic relationship remains below its true potential and called for greater depth and continuity in Spain’s economic engagement with India, conceived as a long-term national commitment.
For his part, the Ambassador of India to Spain shared his perspectives on the different facets of bilateral economic ties and also underlined the importance of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to enter into force in the near future. He also discussed key initiatives undertaken by the Embassy, including comprehensive market studies in relevant sectors such as textiles and pharmaceuticals, aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.
The author of the report, Carmen Grijalba, Research Analyst at the Spain-India Council Foundation, explained that the document combines quantitative and qualitative perspectives to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the bilateral economic relationship. The analysis shows a relationship that has grown more in terms of activity than in structural depth and identifies some of the outstanding challenges to its consolidation. Carmen Grijalba also stressed the need to understand India not merely as an export destination, but as a complex ecosystem with national priorities and differing regulatory environments across its states, where local partnerships and a long-term strategy are essential.
In this context, the FCEI analyst also highlighted the importance of cooperation between public authorities and trade and investment promotion bodies, as well as the need to ensure continuity of existing instruments supporting the development of economic and business relations.
The session brought together a large group of business and institutional representatives and provided an opportunity to analyse the document and engage in direct dialogue with the Secretary of State and the Ambassador, allowing participants to share their views and raise issues of particular interest.
With this latest presentation, the Spain-India Report further consolidates its position as an essential tool for understanding the evolution of the bilateral relationship, identifying opportunities and addressing its main challenges for the future.
ACCIONA ▪️ Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, Executive Vice-Chairman and President of the Spain-India Council Foundation
ACCIONA ▪️ José Eugenio Salarich, Director of International Relations
Madrid City Council ▪️ Fernando de Pablo, Director General of the Digital Office
Spanish Chamber of Commerce ▪️ Jaime Montalvo, International Director
CDTI ▪️ Patricia Sanchez, India + SEA Programme Manager Specialist
Casa Asia - Madrid ▪️ Carmen Bedoya, Programme Coordinator
Chaincorp ▪️ Mohan Chainani, Chairman
Chaincorp ▪️ Alan D'Silva, Advisor
Embassy of India in Spain ▪️ Shri Jayant N. Khobragade, Ambassador
Embassy of India in Spain ▪️ Shri Manan Agarwal, Second Secretary (Political)
Embassy of India in Spain ▪️ Pilar Santiago, Marketing Assistant
Spain-India Council Foundation ▪️ Felipe de la Morena, Acting Secretary General
Spain-India Council Foundation ▪️ Berta Fuertes, Director
Spain-India Council Foundation ▪️ Vega Yubero, Deputy Director
Spain-India Council Foundation ▪️ Raffaella Ferreccio, Project Manager
Spain-India Council Foundation ▪️ Carmen Grijalba, Research Analyst
GESTAMP ▪️ Carlos Serrano Núñez, Head of Press
INDRA ▪️ Cristina Guijarro, Director of Business Development for Asia, Africa and Oceania
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation ▪️ Jordi Colgan, Director General for Economic Diplomacy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation ▪️ Ramón Moreno, Consul General of Spain in Cape Town and former Secretary General of the Spain-India Council Foundation
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation ▪️ Luis García Lumbreras, Deputy Director General for South Asia
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business – Secretary of State for Trade ▪️ Amparo López Senovilla, Secretary of State for Trade
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business – Secretary of State for Trade ▪️ Laura Jarillo, Deputy Director General for Europe, Asia and Oceania
Barcelona City Council ▪️ International Economic Promotion
CaixaBank ▪️ Lucía Miralta, Institutional International Relations
Casa de la India ▪️ Guillermo Rodríguez, Director
CDTI ▪️ Ángeles Valbuena, Head of the International Technology Action Department
IE University ▪️ Antonio Montes, Chief Relationship Officer - IE Business School, Financial Times, Corporate Learning Alliances
