External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is set to embark on a two-day visit to Spain starting today (January 13-14), marking his first official trip to the country as India’s foreign minister. The visit aims to review and enhance the overall trajectory of India-Spain bilateral relations, coming just two-and-a-half months after Spanish President Pedro Sanchez’s visit to India.
Engaging with Spanish Leadership and Addressing Key Issues
During his visit, Jaishankar will meet Spain's leadership and hold comprehensive discussions with his Spanish counterpart, Foreign Minister Manuel Albares. Their talks will cover a wide range of issues, including bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and global matters of shared interest.
One of the highlights of the trip will be Jaishankar’s address at the 9th Annual Conference of Spanish Ambassadors, a platform where he is expected to share India’s perspectives on global diplomacy and India-Spain relations. He will also engage with the Indian diaspora in Spain, strengthening the connection with the community and acknowledging their contributions to fostering bilateral ties.
Strengthening Ties: A Clear and Focused Agenda
Jaishankar’s visit builds on the recent interactions between India and Spain, particularly President Sanchez's visit to India from October 28-29. During that trip, Sanchez and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated a production facility for the C-295 military transport aircraft, a collaboration expected to bolster India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
The two leaders also discussed enhancing partnerships across various sectors, including defense and security, and expressed their commitment to fully realizing the EU-India Connectivity Partnership’s goals. Additionally, they recognized the potential of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) project to significantly boost global connectivity and trade.
Reinforcing Bilateral Relations
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that Dr. S. Jaishankar's visit is strategically focused on strengthening the already robust bilateral ties between India and Spain. The visit is intended to enhance cooperation across various sectors while fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration on key regional and global issues. This diplomatic engagement reflects India’s commitment to nurturing a mutually beneficial partnership with Spain and exploring new avenues for growth and cooperation. This includes exploring new opportunities for collaboration while addressing challenges on the regional and global fronts.
Jaishankar’s engagement with Spain is expected to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties, paving the way for a more robust partnership in the future.