The Foreign Minister travels to New Delhi to boost Spain-India relations

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, visited India to give new impetus to relations with the Asian country. In the capital, New Delhi, the Minister met with his counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, with whom he reviewed bilateral relations and key international issues. José Manuel Albares also met with Spanish business leaders and attended an audience with the President of the Republic of India, Draupadi Murmu.

This trip follows up on Minister Jaishankar's visit in January of last year and, among other activities, served to officially launch the Spain-India Dual Year 2026. José Manuel Albares emphasized the importance of India to Spain's global foreign policy. He also announced Spain's participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative launched by India. This initiative aims to generate opportunities for cooperation with the Asian country in areas such as science, connectivity, maritime transport, and disaster risk reduction.

The minister also announced that Spain, as part of its diplomatic redeployment abroad, will open a Consulate General in Bangalore, joining the existing one in Mumbai and the Embassy in Delhi.

On economic matters, the minister assessed the evolution of trade relations in recent years as "very positive," noting that they have been "characterized by significant and more balanced growth than in previous periods." José Manuel Albares highlighted that bilateral trade has grown by more than 50% in recent years. Currently, India is Spain's second-largest trading partner in Asia, and Spain is India's sixth-largest trading partner in the EU. "It is positive," he emphasized, "that Spanish exports to India have grown by almost 20% since 2024, and we will continue to support our exporters and investors toward more ambitious goals."

Read the news on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation