Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday brought attention to the passion for Spanish football in India, particularly mentioning the recent ‘El Clasico’ match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in his speech in Vadodara. During the event, which marked the inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex alongside Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, PM Modi acknowledged the widespread Indian enthusiasm for La Liga and Spanish football.
Recognition of ‘El Clasico’ Fervor in India
In his address, PM Modi noted the vibrant discussions that the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match spurred in India, comparing the enthusiasm of Indian fans to that seen in Spain. “Barcelona’s spectacular victory was a subject of discussion here as well,” he said, referencing Barcelona’s recent 4-0 win over Real Madrid.
Expanding on the cultural connections, PM Modi discussed the shared interests between India and Spain, highlighting the popularity of yoga in Spain and announcing that 2026 would be celebrated as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI. He expressed optimism for further collaborations and invited Spanish businesses to participate in India’s development.
Inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex
The inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex marked an important milestone, with plans to manufacture C-295 military aircraft locally. Of the 56 aircraft in the program, 16 will be delivered from Spain, while 40 will be assembled in India by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd., representing India’s first private-sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Real Madrid on Saturday featured standout performances from Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice, and young talent Lamine Yamal. In his first El Clasico, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe had multiple scoring attempts ruled out for offside. Barcelona now leads the La Liga standings, six points ahead of second-place Real Madrid.