The Mercat el Born center for Culture and Memory hosted the dinner of the 5th Spain-India Forum, organized by the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Barcelona City Council | View Executive Summary in PDF
The Born Cultural Center was the spectacular venue chosen to host the gala dinner of the 5th Spain-India Forum. The Spain-India Council Foundation and the Barcelona City Council concluded with this dinner an intense day of analysis, reflection, and bilateral cooperation that had taken place throughout the day within the framework of the Smart City Expo World Congress, the world’s leading event on urban innovation.
The dinner brought together authorities, speakers, and representatives from institutions and companies participating in the Forum. In a more relaxed atmosphere, the evening continued to foster mutual understanding, the exchange of ideas, and the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
The event opened with an acclaimed dance performance, and before dinner was served, the attending authorities shared their reflections on the outcomes of the 5th Spain-India Forum. On behalf of the presidency of the Spain-India Council Foundation, José Eugenio Salarich, Director of International Relations at Acciona, expressed his gratitude to all the institutions and organizations that made the Forum possible. He highlighted the vitality and great potential of the relationship between Spain and India, emphasizing the topics addressed during the sessions: innovation, talent, industry, and sustainability, pillars that define the shared future of both nations.
He also underscored the diversity of voices present as a reflection of a solid and long-standing bilateral relationship, and looked ahead to the Spain-India Dual Year 2026, which will mark a new stage of cooperation and further strengthen the ties between the two societies.
The Barcelona City Council was represented by Xavier Paton, General Manager for the Area of Economy and Economic Promotion. He highlighted the success of the Forum, both for the quality of the event and for the relevance of the topics discussed, of mutual interest. He also stressed its significance for the host city, as it represents a new opportunity to consolidate and strengthen Barcelona’s relationship with India—an objective the City Council has pursued with particular commitment for years.
As General Manager for the Area of Economy and Economic Promotion, Xavier Paton emphasized that Barcelona fosters the creation of a competitive, innovative, and internationally attractive environment while promoting sustainable and inclusive economic development—fully aligned with the issues addressed at the 5th Spain-India Forum. India is among the city’s key international priorities, and its growing global influence has only increased Barcelona’s interest in strengthening ties with the Asian giant. Without a doubt, initiatives like the Spain-India Forum expand these opportunities, especially when carried out in partnership with institutions such as the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation.
For his part, the Ambassador of India to Spain, Shri Jayant N. Khobragade, reiterated the main messages delivered during the Forum’s inauguration. He emphasized the progress made by both countries over the past decade, highlighting Spain’s leadership in sectors of great interest to India, as evidenced throughout the day’s discussions.
He reaffirmed that Spain is a key partner for India and praised the role of the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation in strengthening bilateral ties. He noted that realizing all existing opportunities is the core mission of the Indian Embassy in Spain and expressed confidence that the Spain-India Forum will be just the first of many future initiatives carried out in collaboration with the Foundation.
The evening’s final address was delivered by Luis Fonseca, Director General for North America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. He underlined the importance of the 5th Spain-India Forum as a reference space for strengthening bilateral relations between both countries and highlighted the relevance of holding it within the framework of the Smart City Expo World Congress, a symbol of connectivity and shared development.
He recalled that Spain and India are “two friendly and global democracies, committed to multilateralism and international law,” and emphasized the upcoming Spain-India Dual Year 2026, which will foster cooperation in culture, tourism, and artificial intelligence. He also announced a forthcoming new round of political consultations to be held in India and underscored the dynamism of economic relations.
Finally, he thanked the Spain-India Council Foundation and all other organizers and partners for their efforts in making the 5th Spain-India Forum a success, expressing his confidence that this fifth edition will further consolidate the Forum as a benchmark in Spain-India relations.
