In a significant visit, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on October 28-29, marking the first visit by a Spanish President to India in nearly two decades. Sanchez’s delegation included high-ranking officials from Spain’s Ministry of Transport, Industry, and Tourism, showcasing Spain’s strong interest in bolstering ties with India.
IMEEC Corridor as Core Focus
A cornerstone of their discussions was the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) project, a landmark initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity between India, the Gulf, and Europe. This corridor is envisioned to have an Eastern arm linking India to the Gulf and a Northern arm connecting the Gulf to Europe. Signed during the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, the IMEEC project aims to facilitate smooth logistics and boost economic growth across the regions involved.
Advancing the India-EU Strategic Partnership
Both leaders reiterated their dedication to the India-EU Strategic Partnership, emphasizing the potential to strengthen trade, investment, and connectivity. A focus on completing three significant agreements—a Free Trade Agreement, an Investment Protection Agreement, and a Geographical Indications Agreement—was highlighted as a priority.
“India and Spain are committed to realizing the objectives of the EU-India Connectivity Partnership,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated, underscoring the leaders’ optimism for future cooperation in trade, technology, logistics, ports, and infrastructure.
Building on Past Progress
The recent meeting marks a renewal of bilateral momentum following PM Modi’s visit to Spain in 2017. Both leaders acknowledged the progress achieved in their relationship over the years and expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation across political, economic, security, and cultural fronts.
Setting the Stage for Future Collaboration
Both PM Modi and President Sanchez have instructed their teams to continue enhancing the bilateral agenda, aiming to deepen political, economic, and cultural ties, while also advancing strategic collaborations in security and defense. The leaders’ commitment sets a promising stage for a new era in India-Spain relations and broader EU-India cooperation.