Science, technology and innovation relations between Spain and India have undergone significant development in recent years, consolidating themselves as one of the most dynamic pillars of the bilateral relationship. In a global context shaped by digital acceleration, the energy transition and increasing technological competition, both countries have strengthened their cooperation on the basis of growing complementarity: Spain, integrated within the European innovation ecosystem, provides regulatory expertise, advanced technological capabilities and access to multilateral programmes; India contributes scale, digital talent and a strong capacity for technological adoption.
Instruments such as the Spain–India Action Plan 2021–2025, the Indo-Spanish Innovation Programme (ISIP), joint participation in Horizon Europe, and the advancement of the EU–India Trade and Technology Council reflect this progressive deepening of the relationship, in which an increasing number of stakeholders are involved, including companies, technology centres, universities and startups; and where innovation is emerging as a shared space for cooperation.
This document analyses the evolution of the science, technology and innovation ecosystem in both countries between 2020 and 2025, focusing not only on priority sectors but also on the capabilities, dynamics and frameworks that underpin collaboration. It addresses, among other aspects, the institutional consolidation of the bilateral relationship, the role of European instruments in cooperation with India, the growing prominence of business innovation, and progress in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital health and advanced materials. Furthermore, the report identifies opportunities and remaining challenges, ranging from the need for stable joint funding mechanisms to the development of more structured governance, and outlines the transition towards a long-term strategic partnership aimed at building shared capabilities and strengthening the positioning of Spain and India in major global technological debates.
