Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Arrives in Vadodara for Historic India Visit with PM Modi

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrived in Vadodara, Gujarat, early on Monday. His flight touched down at around 1:30 am, marking the start of his first official visit to India. Sanchez is set to travel to Mumbai on Tuesday before heading back to Spain. During his visit, he will participate in several key events alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two leaders will kick off their engagements with a roadshow from the airport to the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) facility. This 2.5 km route will feature cultural performances along the way. Following this, they will jointly inaugurate the TASL complex, which is dedicated to manufacturing C-295 aircraft.

Manufacturing Milestone in Vadodara

The TASL facility in Vadodara represents a significant step for India's private sector in military aviation. It will be the first private final assembly line for military aircraft in the country. Under an agreement, 40 C-295 aircraft will be constructed here, while Airbus will supply 16 directly.

This facility aims to develop a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing manufacturing, assembly, testing, and maintenance throughout the aircraft's lifecycle. The project involves collaboration with major defence public sector units like Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, as well as private micro, small and medium enterprises.

Historic Meeting at Laxmi Vilas Palace

After the inauguration, Sanchez and Modi will visit the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace for a bilateral meeting organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). They plan to have lunch at the palace before continuing with their respective schedules.

Sanchez's itinerary indicates he will depart for Spain at approximately 12:30 am on Wednesday. His visit underscores growing ties between Spain and India, particularly in defence and manufacturing sectors.

Prime Minister Modi had laid the foundation stone for this final assembly line in October 2022. The initiative highlights India's push towards enhancing its defence manufacturing capabilities through private sector involvement.