Spanish PM Sanchez, PM Modi Lead Vadodara Roadshow, Inaugurate Tata Aircraft Facility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish President Pedro Sanchez led a roadshow in Vadodara, Gujarat. The leaders are set to inaugurate the Final Assembly Line Plant for C295 aircraft today.

This marks a key milestone in India's defense and aviation collaboration with Spain, as reported by ANI.

#WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, hold a roadshow, in Vadodara

The two leaders will inaugurate the Final Assembly Line Plant of C295 aircraft at Vadodara today

(Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/feyp6lNDbR

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez landed in Vadodara, Gujarat, early Monday morning for a significant three-day visit to India, marking the first time a Spanish leader has visited the country in 18 years. His trip highlights the strengthening of the defence partnership between Spain and India.

Bienvenido a India!

President of the Government of Spain @sanchezcastejon touches down in Vadodara, marking the first visit by a Spanish President to 🇮🇳 in 18 years.

An official visit to elevate 🇮🇳-🇪🇸 relations to new heights. pic.twitter.com/c95RU3ZGj7

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 27, 2024

Sanchez's Arrival and Roadshow with PM Modi

Sanchez's flight touched down at Vadodara airport at approximately 1:30 am, kicking off his maiden official visit to India. One of the key highlights of his trip is a roadshow with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders will take part in a 2.5 km roadshow from Vadodara airport to the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) facility, where cultural performances are expected along the route, as reported by Mint.

Inauguration of Tata Advanced Systems Facility

Later on Monday, PM Sanchez and PM Modi will jointly inaugurate the TASL facility in Vadodara. This state-of-the-art facility will produce C-295 military transport aircraft, marking the first private-sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India. Under an agreement, 40 of these aircraft will be manufactured in India, while Airbus will deliver 16 directly. This project, which includes collaboration with leading Indian defence companies like Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, will also involve numerous private micro, small, and medium enterprises, creating a full-scale ecosystem for aircraft production and maintenance.

Historic Bilateral Meeting at Laxmi Vilas Palace

Following the inauguration, both leaders will proceed to the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace for bilateral talks, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as per media reports. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet with PM Sanchez during the visit. The two leaders will conclude their discussions over lunch at the palace before Sanchez departs for Mumbai on Tuesday.

Sanchez's Visit Marks Key Moment in Spain-India Relations

This visit comes on the heels of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's trip to India, making it back-to-back meetings with two European heads of state for PM Modi. Sanchez is expected to return to Spain early Wednesday, completing a crucial visit that is expected to deepen ties between India and Spain, especially in the fields of defence and manufacturing, as per media reports.