Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares visited New Delhi on January 21, 2026, marking the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain established in 1956. The visit resulted in a significant upgrade of bilateral ties, with both sides agreeing to work together to elevate the relationship to a strategic partnership in the near future, signalling deeper cooperation across defence, trade, technology, and cultural domains.
During the meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, both sides announced that 2026 would be declared the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence. This initiative aims to promote people-to-people exchanges, boost tourism flows between the two countries, and foster collaboration in cutting-edge AI research and development. Spain is among India's key partners in the European Union, with bilateral trade crossing US$ 11 billion in 2024 and goods trade reaching USD 9.41 billion in 2025.
The strategic association will include enhanced cooperation in renewable energy, green hydrogen technology, and counter-terrorism. A new joint working group on cybersecurity was also announced. Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to reforming multilateral institutions, including the United Nations Security Council, where India seeks permanent membership. The visit also saw the signing of agreements on cultural exchange, academic collaboration between universities, and a framework for mutual recognition of professional qualifications.