Pedro Sánchez and Narendra Modi strengthen bilateral relations between Spain and India with inauguration of the Airbus and TATA plant

Vadodara (India)

Group photo of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, at the TATA Advanced Systems and Airbus assembly plant with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, today began his first official trip to India, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Eighteen years have passed since the last official trip of a Spanish president to the country. The visit coincides with a very important date for the country, Diwali. In this context, Pedro Sánchez received a warm welcome from the citizens of Vadodara.

Together with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Pedro Sánchez has inaugurated the Airbus plant and its local partner TATA, which will produce 40 units of the C-295 aircraft, the largest contract awarded by India in the defence sector. Under the agreement, the first 16 units will be assembled at the Airbus plant in Seville and the remaining units will be produced under licence in Vadodara.

This is a project of great importance that strengthens economic relations between the two countries, while positioning Spain as a reliable and strategic partner that meets the requirements of technology transfer and deadlines. Pedro Sánchez stressed that "this partnership between Airbus and Tata will contribute to the progress of the Indian aerospace industry and will open new doors for the arrival of other European companies."

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the welcome ceremony on his trip to India | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The president of the Government of Spain also highlighted the fact that this project demonstrates the capabilities of the Spanish defence industry and the contributions of Spanish companies in India, with a long-term vision, collaborating with local partners and investing and creating qualified employment. It is estimated that the project will directly create 600 high-skilled jobs, more than 3,000 medium-skilled jobs and a further 3,000 indirect jobs.

The president of the Government of Spain remarked that "this plant sums up perfectly the excellent state of bilateral relations between Spain and India," and that today a strategic step is being taken in these relations, focused on a key industrial and technological area.

He also highlighted the ambitious roadmap that Spain is promoting to modernise its productive fabric, with decarbonisation and digitalisation as driving forces. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez stressed that the automotive, aerospace and renewable energy sectors are undergoing a real strategic transformation.

Group photo of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, at the TATA Advanced Systems and Airbus assembly plant with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The president of the Government of Spain also highlighted the good progress of the Spanish economy and pointed out that the International Monetary Fund last week raised its growth forecasts for the Spanish economy to 2.9%, the highest figure among developed economies, and almost four times higher than the average growth forecast for the eurozone. "If Indian companies want to grow, they can rely on Spain," Pedro Sánchez stressed.

After the inauguration of the plant, Narendra Modi and Pedro Sánchez held a meeting in which they discussed both bilateral relations between the two countries and geopolitical issues, such as the war in Ukraine.

Both leaders have highlighted the value of the Joint Declaration signed, which succeeds the one signed in 2017, and which will serve as a roadmap for the coming years in the political, economic and commercial, cultural, scientific, technological, innovation, consular affairs, tourism and people-to-people relations fields. It has also been agreed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations by jointly organising the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence in 2026.

Group photo of the meeting | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Narendra Modi and Pedro Sánchez have highlighted the signing of several agreements in multiple areas. An international agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters has been signed, with visits to facilitate the legal traffic of goods and ensure the correct application of customs legislation, as well as to guarantee the security of the international logistics chain. A declaration has also been adopted to establish a fast-track investment mechanism, which aims to facilitate investment by identifying and resolving problems faced by Spanish investors with their operations in India and vice versa.

In addition, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) have been adopted: the first on cooperation in the railway field, which will include the planning, design, development, construction, commissioning and operation of infrastructure, as well as the management and operation of rail transport and train maintenance. The second MoU is on cultural exchange and aims to deepen the general framework of cultural cooperation, cultural exchange activities and programmes.

Non official translation