Spanish President Pedro Sanchez Begins Landmark Visit To India; Aims To Strengthen Bilateral Ties

In the early hours of Monday, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez arrived in Vadodara for a significant three-day visit to India, marking the first time in 18 years that a Spanish leader has visited the country.

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), his arrival sets the stage for high-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Upon landing, the MEA welcomed President Sanchez with a message on X, stating, 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,” the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal further posted.

Additionally, taking to X, President Sanchez asserted, “I begin my first official trip to India with the goal of revitalizing our bilateral relations. India is a key player and a prominent voice in the international community, with whom we will address many of the common challenges ahead of us.”

Upon his arrival, he was greeted by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri at Vadodara International Airport.

President Sanchez India Visit Highlights

A highlight of the visit will be the inauguration of the Final Assembly Line Plant for C295 aircraft, a significant ‘Make in India’ initiative in the aviation sector, which President Sanchez will inaugurate alongside PM  Modi.

Meanwhile, Tata Advanced Systems, in partnership with Airbus Spain, is developing this facility.

The people of Vadodara have adorned the city with festive lights in anticipation of the Spanish President’s visit. Following his time in Vadodara, President Sanchez will travel to Mumbai, where he will engage with business leaders, think-tanks, and representatives from the film industry.

In Mumbai, he is likely to address the fourth Spain-India Forum, organized by the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation.

President Sanchez will also tour major film studios to meet with leading figures in the Indian cinema sector, aiming to enhance collaboration between the Spanish and Indian media and entertainment industries.

Throughout his visit, officials are likely to sign several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements that will boost cooperation between the two nations.

The MEA noted that this visit will be an excellent opportunity to review and deepen bilateral relations across various sectors, including trade and investment, IT, innovation, infrastructure, renewable energy, defense and security, pharmaceuticals, agro-tech, biotech, culture, and tourism.