4th Spain-India Forum: Joint Strategies in the Indo-Pacific for Regional Security and Prosperity

The first session of the IV Spain-India Forum brought together a group of leading experts in diplomacy and international strategy to address the panel “Spain and India in the Indo-Pacific: Joint Strategies for National Security and Prosperity.”

Moderated by Harsh V. Pant, Vice President for Studies and Foreign Policy at ORF, the panel included, on the Spanish side, Elena Gómez Castro, Ambassador at Large for the Indo-Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and José Eugenio Salarich, former Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry.

On the Indian side, the participants were Gautam Bambawale, former Ambassador of India to China and Bhutan and former High Commissioner to Pakistan; Shivali Lawale, Director of the Symbiosis School of International Studies; and Girish Luthra, former Commander-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command and Distinguished Fellow at ORF.

The experts shared their knowledge and vision of the Indo-Pacific concept and its relevance for the alliances and strategies of both countries, as well as the joint actions that Spain and India may undertake.

For Ambassador Elena Gómez Castro, Europe and Asia are no longer separate strategic arenas. Instead, they have become essential regions for the future of the globe. Today, the Indian Ocean is the meeting point and the sea that connects Europe with Asia. In the case of Spain and India, both countries share interests and values that allow for deeper cooperation. To achieve this, she stressed, mutual knowledge and creating a level playing field will be crucial—precisely what “events such as this Spain-India Forum” make possible.

The Ambassador at Large for the Indo-Pacific also emphasized that the European Strategy for the Indo-Pacific is centered on cooperation and highlights key terms such as engagement, partnership, and a rules-based order. Its goal: to lay the foundations for long-term prosperity and a mutually beneficial relationship.

For Ambassador Gautam Bambawale, India’s approach to the Indo-Pacific should be that of a “free and open region” moving toward inclusive prosperity. In his view, the main power in the region—China—seeks multipolarity at the global level, while at the same time trying to establish unipolarity in Asia. This is why the international community must work together to prevent China from breaking the current rule of law that prevails in the Indo-Pacific.

In India’s case, there is already a process through which Chinese investments are evaluated individually in order to strike a balance between economic interests and national security. It is essential, he noted, that government bodies and organizations in each country are well organized and prepared. For Spain, he added, it is important to be part of this effort and to collaborate with India in the initiatives it proposes.

Next, José Eugenio Salarich, former Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, analyzed how the vision toward Asia-Pacific has evolved in recent years, as well as the change in Spain’s perception of India over the past decade.

He noted that, for decades, Spain had a “historical torticollis” that made it look only to the West. However, the time has come to look East. Two decades ago, he pointed out, relations between Spain and India were good but lacked depth. Spain only had a small embassy in Delhi. Over time, the embassy was strengthened, in addition to opening a Consulate General and a Trade Office in Mumbai, as well as an Instituto Cervantes in New Delhi.

Today, India is a strategic country in Spanish foreign policy, as demonstrated by the activity of the Spain-India Council Foundation. In summary: the foundations have been laid that made it possible for the President of the Government to inaugurate the Spain-India Forum. Despite the geographical distance and the difference in size between the two countries, the potential is excellent, he concluded.

Shivali Lawale, Director of the Symbiosis School of International Studies, spoke about the Indo-Pacific strategy, in which India and Europe are working closely together. While countries such as France, Germany, or the Netherlands are leading this initiative, Spain is narrowing the gap and playing an increasingly active role within the Euro-Pacific strategy.

She also referred to the Atalanta Operation to combat piracy in the Western Indian Ocean, whose headquarters have been relocated to Spain, which is a clear sign of the important role our country will play strategically in the Indo-Pacific region.

Regarding a possible free trade agreement between India and the European Union—long stalled but now showing renewed optimism—Shivali Lawale considered that it could become a reality. India is one of the most stable regions in the world, with a vibrant economy and a solid talent pool, especially among its young population. Spain and other European countries are seeking talent in India, and it is important to achieve mutual benefit from this.

Finally, Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Distinguished Fellow at ORF and former Commander-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, analyzed the Indo-Pacific region from a maritime security perspective. He highlighted that the European Strategy for the Indo-Pacific is one of the most comprehensive. Spain strongly supports this agenda, as well as the EU–India roadmap, which includes specific issues related to maritime security.

India’s vision for security in the region, he explained, is oriented toward a model of cooperative security linked to development, rather than international collective alliances. This model is reflected in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), where maritime security is a central pillar, but which also includes six other pillars related to resources, ecology, development, and maritime transport, among others.

For India, maritime trade is essential: 95% of its trade by volume and 70% by value is carried out by sea, and 26% of its GDP comes from the maritime sector. Shipbuilding is also important for India and, in this regard, Spain has significant experience in the construction of vessels and submarines.

The Vice Admiral stressed that both Spain and India are collaborating to revitalize the maritime sector beyond security. India has launched the Indian Maritime Vision 2030, which foresees strong growth in this sector and contemplates the inclusion of Spain. He also suggested that Spain consider joining the IPOI, where countries such as France, Italy, and Germany are already involved, and which would be a good way to strengthen bilateral relations in the future.

These were the main issues addressed in the first panel of the IV Spain-India Forum—an analysis that shed light on aspects of the Spain-India relationship which, as speakers noted, would not even have been discussed a decade ago. The transformation in the relationship and the changes in both India and Spain, they concluded, are proof that we are now at a moment when many of these opportunities can be realized.

More Content on the 4th Spain-India Forum

• ▪️ Forum Inauguration
• ▪️ Second Panel and Closing Session