India-Spain Relations

India-Spain relations were established formally diplomatic in 1956, though cultural and economic interactions date back much earlier. Read here to learn more.

India and Spain have decided to celebrate 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI.

This was announced after the recent visit of the Spanish prime minister to India, the first in 18 years.

Spain: A Brief History

Spain has a complex and fascinating history that spans thousands of years, marked by periods of conquest, empire, and transformation.

Prehistoric to Roman Spain

• Spain’s prehistory includes the Iberians, Celts, and Phoenicians, who were some of the earliest settlers. The region later became part of the powerful Roman Empire in 218 BCE, known as Hispania. Roman rule introduced Latin, Roman law, and infrastructure, setting the cultural foundation for much of modern Spain.

Visigothic and Islamic Rule

• After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Visigoths established a kingdom in Spain around the 5th century. In 711 CE, Muslim Moors from North Africa invaded and established the Al-Andalus region. This period saw remarkable advancements in science, mathematics, and architecture, especially in cities like Córdoba and Granada.

Reconquista and Christian Kingdoms

• The Reconquista was a centuries-long effort by Christian kingdoms in northern Spain to reclaim land from the Moors. This effort culminated in 1492 with the capture of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, uniting most of Spain under Christian rule and marking the end of Muslim influence.

The Spanish Empire (16th–17th centuries)

• Spain became a global superpower with the unification of Castile and Aragon, as well as Columbus’s voyage in 1492. This began Spain’s colonial empire, with territories in the Americas, Asia, and parts of Europe. However, economic difficulties, wars, and internal conflicts led to a gradual decline by the 17th century.

Bourbon Reforms and Loss of Empire (18th–19th centuries)

• The Bourbon dynasty attempted reforms to modernize the Spanish state, but Spain’s empire faced crises. The Napoleonic invasion in 1808 weakened Spain, spurring independence movements in Latin America. By the late 19th century, Spain lost most of its colonies, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, following the Spanish-American War in 1898.

20th Century: Civil War and Dictatorship

• In 1936, Spain plunged into a civil war between Republicans and Nationalists, led by Francisco Franco. Franco’s Nationalist forces triumphed in 1939, leading to a military dictatorship that lasted until Franco’s death in 1975. During his rule, Spain remained isolated and economically stagnant.

Modern Spain: Democracy and European Integration

• After Franco’s death, Spain transitioned to a constitutional monarchy under King Juan Carlos I and embraced democracy with the 1978 Constitution. Spain joined the European Union in 1986, which fostered economic growth and modernization. Today, Spain is a stable democracy, known for its cultural heritage, modern infrastructure, and vibrant tourism industry.

India-Spain Diplomatic and Political Relations

• Establishment of Embassies:
  • India and Spain opened their respective embassies in Madrid and New Delhi in 1965, deepening diplomatic engagement.
  • Bilateral visits began to grow in frequency in the 1980s, emphasizing cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the G20, and the World Trade Organization.
• High-Level Visits:
  • Several state visits have been pivotal in strengthening ties. Notably, the 2017 visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Spain was a significant step, marking the first Indian prime ministerial visit to Spain in almost 30 years.
  • During this visit, both countries signed agreements in areas like cybersecurity, renewable energy, and civil aviation.
• Bilateral Mechanisms:
  • Both countries have established forums like the India-Spain Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation and the India-Spain Business Forum to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, science, and technology.

G20 as facilitator for India-Spain relations

The G20 platform serves as a critical facilitator for enhancing India-Spain relations by providing a framework for cooperation in key areas like trade, climate change, technology, and cultural exchange.

Both countries, as G20 members, share common interests in sustainable development, digital innovation, and economic recovery, positioning the group as an ideal forum for dialogue and collaboration.

• Economic and Trade Relations:
  • The G20 has allowed India and Spain to strengthen their economic ties by aligning on trade policies that support open markets and reduce trade barriers.
  • Spain is one of India’s top trading partners within the European Union, and the G20 provides opportunities to enhance trade flows and investment.
  • For example, Spain has expressed interest in increasing investments in sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, and information technology in India.
• Climate Change and Sustainable Development:
  • Both nations are committed to addressing climate change, an ongoing priority in G20 discussions.
  • Spain is a strong advocate for renewable energy and climate action, while India has emerged as a leader in solar energy initiatives.
  • Through G20-led initiatives like the Energy Transition Working Group, India and Spain can share expertise and jointly pursue sustainable development goals, including in renewable energy and green infrastructure.
• Digital Transformation and Technology:
  • With both India and Spain prioritizing digital transformation, the G20 provides a space for collaboration in digital governance, cybersecurity, and tech-driven economic growth.
  • India’s advancements in digital infrastructure, such as the Digital India initiative, align with Spain’s interest in digitalization within the EU context, offering areas for cross-border collaboration.
• Cultural and Diplomatic Exchange:
  • The G20 has bolstered diplomatic engagement, as seen during the Indian G20 presidency in 2023, where leaders like Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez strengthened diplomatic ties through high-level interactions with Indian officials.
  • Additionally, the G20 allows for cultural exchange initiatives that promote mutual understanding and stronger people-to-people ties.

India-Spain Economic and Trade Relations

• Trade Growth:
  • The trade between India and Spain has grown significantly, with Spain being India’s 7th largest trade partner in the European Union.
  • Key export items from India to Spain include textiles, chemicals, automotive parts, and machinery, while Spain exports industrial machinery, organic chemicals, and pharmaceuticals to India.
• Investment Initiatives:
  • Spain is an important investor in India, with companies like Inditex (Zara) and Telefonica operating in the Indian market.
  • Indian companies, especially in the information technology sector, have established a presence in Spain, with companies like TCS and Wipro having offices there.
• Renewable Energy and Infrastructure:
  • Spain’s expertise in renewable energy, especially in wind and solar power, has aligned well with India’s renewable energy goals.
  • Companies like Gamesa and Acciona have invested in India’s wind and solar energy projects, and both countries have signed agreements to encourage further collaboration in this area.
  • Spain became the 99th member of the International Solar Alliance. Spain handed over the International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification during the meeting between Spain’s Ambassador to India and the Head of Depository, Joint Secretary (ED and MER), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in New Delhi.

India-Spain Cultural and Educational Exchange

• Cultural Diplomacy:
  • Cultural exchanges have been fostered through organizations like the Casa de la India in Valladolid, which promotes Indian culture in Spain through art, literature, and music.
  • The Spanish influence on Indian cinema has also been notable, with Bollywood films frequently using Spanish locales.
• Educational Collaboration:
  • Student exchange programs have grown between Spanish and Indian universities, and Spain has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian students, especially in fields like business and engineering.
• Tourism:
  • Tourism between the two nations has been on the rise, with an increasing number of Indian tourists visiting Spain due to cultural affinities and a surge in direct flights.

Defence and Security Cooperation

• Defence Agreements:
  • Both countries have shown interest in expanding defence cooperation, with agreements focusing on defence production and technology sharing.
  • Spain has supported India’s candidacy for permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
• Cybersecurity and Counterterrorism:
  • As part of broader security cooperation, both nations have collaborated in cybersecurity and counterterrorism, sharing strategies and resources to counter global security threats.

Recent Developments

In recent years, India and Spain have continued to strengthen their relations, especially in the fields of renewable energy, education, and culture.

2024: Prime Minister Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft at the TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara.

• Under the C-295 programme, a total of 56 aircraft are to be delivered out of which 16 are being delivered directly by Airbus from Spain and the remaining 40 are to be made in India.
• Tata Advanced Systems Ltd is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India. This facility becomes the first private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India.
• It will involve the full development of a complete ecosystem from the manufacture to assembly, test and qualification, to delivery and maintenance of the complete lifecycle of the aircraft, the release stated.

Conclusion

Spain, a key European partner, works with India on important projects in defence, renewable energy, and other global initiatives, deepening the scope of their diplomatic and economic partnership.

Challenges remain, however, in aligning political strategies in complex areas like international trade and climate policies, but both nations remain committed to a strong partnership grounded in shared interests and values.

These engagements reflect a deepening of the India-Spain partnership, shaped by a mutual commitment to economic growth, cultural understanding, and regional stability.

Through the G20, India and Spain can expand their partnership in emerging sectors like green hydrogen, infrastructure, and digital health.

As both countries continue to prioritize sustainable growth, technological collaboration, and economic resilience, the G20 will remain a cornerstone in facilitating productive partnerships that align with shared global goals.

-Article by Swathi Satish