EAM Jaishankar Engages with Spanish President Sanchez to Reaffirm India-Spain Partnership

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Spanish President Pedro Sanchez to reaffirm the enduring partnership between India and Spain. During their meeting, Jaishankar updated Sanchez on the progress of bilateral cooperation. He also met with King Felipe VI of Spain during his two-day official visit, which marked his first trip to the country as the external affairs minister.

Jaishankar expressed his honour in meeting King Felipe VI, conveying warm regards from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Value his guidance for the further advancement of India-Spain ties," he stated. The visit aimed to strengthen diplomatic relations and explore new avenues for collaboration between the two nations.

Strengthening Defence and Strategic Alliances

In Madrid, Jaishankar engaged in fruitful discussions with Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles. They focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation and addressed regional and global issues. "A productive exchange of views with Defence Minister Margarita Robles today in Madrid," Jaishankar mentioned, highlighting the importance of these talks.

Earlier, Jaishankar participated in a session organised by the Spain-India Council Foundation alongside Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares. The session, titled ‘Strategic Alliances for a Changing World: Spain and India in the 21st Century,’ emphasised the significance of India-Spain collaboration in today's turbulent world.

India-Spain Collaboration in a Global Context

"India-Spain collaboration is relevant in a turbulent world, strengthening the global economy and ensuring training and mobility of talent," Jaishankar noted. He highlighted Spain's role as a partner in deepening India's relations with the EU, Mediterranean, and Latin America. The minister stressed the need for governments, businesses, and institutions to work together to realise this potential.

On Monday, before meeting his Spanish counterpart Albares, Jaishankar interacted with the Indian community in Spain. They discussed various regional and global issues, further solidifying the strategic partnership between India and Spain.

Sanchez's visit to India last October included delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between the two countries. Jaishankar conveyed greetings from PM Modi to President Sanchez during their meeting in Madrid.

The meetings underscored the commitment of both nations to advance their bilateral agenda. They aim to strengthen ties across various sectors, including defence, economy, and cultural exchanges. This visit marks a significant step towards enhancing cooperation between India and Spain.