**Executive Summary**
This document reports on the official visit of H.E. Mr. Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, to India from February 18-19, 2026, primarily to attend the AI Impact Summit 2026. The visit built upon previous bilateral engagements and focused on strengthening India-Spain relations. The document highlights key discussions, agreements, and areas of cooperation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bilateral Talks:**
* Prime Minister Modi and President Sánchez reviewed India-Spain relations, covering various sectors including trade, technology, defence, culture, and tourism.
* They welcomed the progress in the Tata-Airbus collaboration for C-295 transport aircraft.
* They stressed the importance of defense industrial collaboration based on co-development and co-production.
* **Areas of Cooperation:**
* The leaders emphasized the potential of the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence.
* President Sánchez highlighted the importance of the AI Impact Summit.
* Both leaders recognized artificial intelligence as a transformative force and the need for India-Spain cooperation.
* They discussed cooperation in education, especially in light of India's New Education Policy.
* The leaders welcomed the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Indian and Spanish Universities.
* PM Modi invited Spanish universities and institutions to open campuses in India under New Education Policy.
* **Regional and Global Issues:**
* The leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
* They hailed the conclusion of India-EU FTA negotiations.
* They reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism.
* **Future Relations:**
* The leaders expressed confidence that expanding bilateral ties, reinforced through the Dual Year, would impart fresh momentum to the India–Spain partnership.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Government**
* **Impact:** Strengthened bilateral relations with Spain, increased cooperation in strategic sectors like defense and education, potential for increased trade and investment, and improved collaboration on global issues.
* **Action Required:** Continue to engage with Spain on various initiatives, implement agreements reached, and facilitate the establishment of Spanish university campuses in India.
**Stakeholder: Spanish Government**
* **Impact:** Strengthened bilateral relations with India, increased opportunities for Spanish companies and institutions, and enhanced collaboration on areas like AI and technology.
* **Action Required:** Continue to engage with India on various initiatives, encourage Spanish universities to establish campuses in India, and promote the India-Spain Dual Year.
**Stakeholder: Indian and Spanish Universities**
* **Impact:** Opportunity for increased collaboration, exchange programs, and establishment of Spanish campuses in India.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the Conference of Vice-Chancellors, explore opportunities for collaboration, and consider establishing campuses in India.
**Stakeholder: Indian and Spanish Businesses**
* **Impact:** Increased trade and investment opportunities, access to new markets and technologies, and potential for collaboration in areas like defense and renewable energy.
* **Action Required:** Explore new business opportunities in India and Spain, participate in trade events, and seek partnerships with companies in relevant sectors.
Key Entities Referenced
AI Impact Summit 2026: A summit focused on artificial intelligence, attended by the President of Spain and referenced in the context of shaping global AI governance.
India-EU FTA: A free trade agreement between India and the European Union, concluded and hailed as a major milestone during the meeting.
India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence: A bilateral initiative to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, promoting cooperation in culture, tourism, and AI.
New Education Policy: India's education policy, mentioned in the context of cooperation in education and the opening of campuses by Spanish universities.
India: The location of the official visit from the President of the Government of Spain
Prime Minister's Office
Visit of H.E. Mr. Pedro Sánchez, President of the
Government of Spain to India
Posted On: 18 FEB 2026 5:08PM by PIB Delhi
At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, H.E. Mr. Pedro Sánchez, President of the
Government of Spain, is paying an official visit to India from 18–19 February 2026 to attend the AI
Impact Summit 2026. This is his second official visit to India, following his bilateral visit from 27–29
October 2024. He was accompanied by Mr. Óscar López Agueda, Minister for Digital Transformation and
Civil Service, and Mr. Luis Planas Puchades, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain.
Prime Minister Modi and President Sánchez held bilateral talks and reviewed the entire gamut of India–
Spain relations, including trade and investment, technology, infrastructure, climate and renewable energy,
defence and security, space, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The leaders welcomed the
positive momentum in bilateral cooperation and expressed happiness at the progress in Tata–Airbus
collaboration for C-295 transport aircraft Final Assembly Line at the Vadodara facility, jointly inaugurated
by them in October 2024. They stressed on importance of defence industrial collaboration based on co-
development and co-production as way forward.
Both Leaders emphasised the high potential of India–Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial
Intelligence, being celebrated this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries, in further promoting bilateral technology, innovation, business and
people-to-people ties.
President Sánchez highlighted the importance of the AI Impact Summit and expressed confidence that its
outcomes would contribute meaningfully to shaping global AI governance. The two leaders recognised
artificial intelligence as a transformative force and underlined the need for closer India–Spain cooperation
to leverage its potential for inclusive development and societal benefit.
They also discussed the potential of cooperation in the field of education, especially in light of India’s
New Education Policy. In this context, they welcomed the Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Indian
universities and Rectors of Spanish universities, being held in New Delhi on 19–20 February 2026. Both
leaders noted the continued impressive growth in two-way tourism which is contributing to greater
economic activities in their respective countries and furthering peoples ties. PM Modi invited leading
Spanish universities and institutions, particularly in STEM and technology fields, to open campuses in
India under New Education Policy.
The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including Spain’s
decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. They hailed the conclusion of India-EU FTA
negotiations as a major milestone which would help in unlocking immense trade and investment potential
between India and Spain as well as with Europe. They reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism inall its forms and manifestations and emphasised the need for strengthened international cooperation to
combat terrorism.
The leaders expressed confidence that expanding bilateral ties, reinforced through the Dual Year, would
impart fresh momentum to the India–Spain partnership.
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MJPS/SR
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