At a time of profound transformation, when the foundations of the international order are being questioned, Spain and India are marking this year the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations with the celebration of the Dual Year Spain–India. The world of 2026 is very different from that of 1956 for both countries, with major advances in material well-being, freedom and democracy. We share a commitment to peace, international law and the Charter of the United Nations. All of this makes Spain and India two partners with enormous potential for bilateral and global cooperation.
The visit of Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to India in October 2024 and his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored both countries’ interest in developing a shared agenda that brings our societies closer together. Accordingly, in 2026 we will move forward in establishing a strategic partnership that elevates our relationship through shared objectives and a stable institutional framework. We will also intensify high-level travel and visits: the Prime Minister of Spain will take part in the Second Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence in February in New Delhi; both countries are working on the organization of another high-level visit in the second half of the year; and I have just returned from an official visit to India. To support closer ties between our societies, both countries are strengthening their diplomatic and consular presence: on 23 December Spain established the Consulate General in Bangalore, and India has recently opened the new premises of its Consulate General in Barcelona.
“We are two partners with enormous potential for bilateral and global cooperation.”
In the fields of science and culture, a wide range of universities in Spain and India will hold meetings in both countries on topics such as artificial intelligence, the identification of joint research projects, and the promotion of student and faculty mobility. We will strengthen the presence of our creators and cultural industries at key events on the calendar in India and Spain, with initiatives such as the El Prado en las Streets exhibition in several Indian cities; a major exhibition of Antoni Tàpies at the National Gallery of Modern Art; Spanish and Indian urban art; and a strong representation of our cinema at the international film festivals of San Sebastián and Goa. This will be complemented by the finest flamenco and literature at the Jaipur and Kerala festivals, the publication of a work on Miguel Hernández and Rabindranath Tagore, and the promotion of our languages. The Dual Year also includes initiatives by institutions such as the Instituto Cervantes and Casa de la India in Spain. The Fundación Consejo España-India, in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation, will focus the annual Spain–India Forum on the theme of the Dual Year, and Casa Asia will give India a prominent place at ARCO 2026 and in its annual programme.
