Presentation

The Spain-India Council Foundation is a non-profit private entity which aims to foster mutual understanding between the two countries. It brings together the efforts of a broad range of sectors to promote India-related interests, such as science, technology, research, culture and academy, as well as financial, trade and business cooperation, acting as a civil society platform.

The Spain-India Council Foundation is part of the overall framework of the Council Foundations Network, which promotes and supports the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. It aims to extend and deepen bilateral relationships with Spain's major partner nations and strategic allies, representing a valuable foreign policy tool in the service of our two countries.

It comprises representatives from the highest level of the business, banking, cultural, educational and legal sectors, along with figures from the Spanish Government, Regional Administrations and City Councils interested in bilateral relationships between Spain and India.

The Foundation is chaired by the President of the Santander Bank Foundation, Mr. Antonio Escámez. Its Board is participated by forty institutions and coordinated by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The major economic, cultural and educational ministerial departments also form part of the Foundation, ensuring that it acts in harmony with the interests of the various sectors represented. Our Trustees are at the forefront of today's modern, cutting edge, competitive and high-technology Spain.

The Foundation began in 2009, coinciding with the historic State Visit to Spain by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. Since then, it has developed a range of its own activities and it has accompanied and supported other government-designed initiatives and official events in India and Spain. It has participated in investment forums and business meetings, in cultural, educational, artistic and fashion activities, as well as signing agreements with private institutions and official Indian bodies.

This initiative is consistent with India's importance as one of this century's major global powers. Spain seeks to translate its sound political relationships with India in all its aspects in order to promote bilateral economic relationships with India (in the tourism, energy, sporting, cultural, legal, university and business school, and infrastructure sectors, to name a few), including the technological and scientific sectors, in line with the interests of the Foundation's sponsoring institutions and increasing awareness of the “Spain Brand” in India.