Inauguration of the V Spain-India Forum: a clear commitment to collaboration between both countries
The authorities delivering the openning remarks emphasized emphasized the importance of bilateral relations and the expectations surrounding the upcoming Dual Year 2026 | View Executive Summary in PDF
Under the theme "Connecting with India: Talent, Science, and Strategy for a Shared Future," the fifth Spain-India Forum, held in Barcelona, officially began with an opening session featuring representatives from the organizing entities and prominent figures involved in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The session was opened by the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, who expressed his delight at the Forum being held in the Catalan capital, stating, "We have been working for years to stabilize our city's relationship with India." He thanked the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation for organizing the Forum.
The Mayor also made several announcements highlighting the importance the city council places on its relationship with India. First, he announced the upcoming opening of the Consulate General of India in Barcelona: "I hope that in the coming months we will be able to inaugurate the physical space of this new consulate, which I believe is a clear demonstration that the commitment made by the city and the Indian government to stabilize this relationship is beginning to bear fruit."
Furthermore, the mayor announced the formal presentation of the India Chapter to the Indian ambassador. This is a strategic plan from the City Council, proposing actions to strengthen its presence in the Asian country. For Jaume Collboni, it is a "magnificent document, a true roadmap for how we want this shared strategy with India to unfold, from a technological, tourism, and talent perspective... This India Chapter includes all those areas that we believe we can develop jointly with Indian regions and cities." He also emphasized the importance of working towards establishing a direct air route between Barcelona and the subcontinent.
Finally, Jaume Collboni celebrated the upcoming inauguration of the new Casa Asia headquarters, which will be located in the historic Pedralbes Palace. "We hope that, starting next autumn, we can also begin a new relationship, reflecting Barcelona's commitment to becoming a true gateway to India and all of Asia in Southern Europe."
The next speaker was Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, president of the Spain-India Council Foundation, who stated that "this fifth edition represents the continuation of a solid and sustained process over time. In 2024, we had the privilege of holding the fourth edition in Mumbai, with the participation of the President of the Government of Spain and Minister Jordi Hereu. The fact that the forum is being organized, once again, with the support of the Government of Spain through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, the Government of Catalonia, the Barcelona City Council, and Fira de Barcelona demonstrates that our relations with India are a state priority."
"Spain and India have already demonstrated the success of their collaborations in numerous innovation-driven sectors such as defense, renewable energy, the food industry, and automotive components," continued Juan Ignacio Entrecanales. “Many untapped opportunities remain, particularly in areas such as university collaboration, infrastructure, water management, and urban development. Together with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), our main partner in India, we will continue to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and explore how India and Spain can collaborate and lead the global approach to AI.”
He also emphasized that the Spain-India Council Foundation “will actively participate in the initiatives organized within the framework of the Spain-India Dual Year 2026, which will mark a milestone in bilateral cooperation and include a new edition of this Forum.”
After the address by our President, the Ambassador of India to Spain, Shri Jayant N. Khobragade, took the floor. He highlighted the evolution of both Spain and India over the past decade: noting Spain’s leadership in renewable energies and economic growth, and India’s remarkable transformation, with a vibrant startup ecosystem and an emerging space program.
He also discussed global challenges and how India has launched its “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India by 2047) policy, which has implications for foreign policy, such as the defense of strategic autonomy and international technological cooperation. In this regard, the Ambassador cited the agreement with Airbus for the C-295 transport aircraft as an example.
“India considers Spain a key partner for its growth,” affirmed Shri Jayant N. Khobragade, who also praised “the high-level exchanges, such as the visit of the Spanish President to India last October, or the visits to Spain by India’s Ministers of External Affairs, Finance, Culture, and Tourism (...) This demonstrates both sides’ intention to strengthen our relationship.” As part of this strengthening, he added, “the Spain-India Council Foundation has played a fundamental role,” expressing his confidence that collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation will continue.
Finally, a recorded message was broadcast from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, who was unable to attend the Forum’s inauguration. The Minister emphasized that both countries “share a commitment to democracy, multilateralism, international law, and sustainable development... For Spain, India is an essential partner in our global foreign policy.”
He also noted that the Spain-India Dual Year 2026, “focused on culture, tourism, and AI, will offer us multiple opportunities to work together and launch initiatives that allow us to move forward hand in hand in all these areas (...) Forums like the one we are celebrating today also help strengthen these ties. From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we continue to support the Spain-India Council Foundation, which makes this dialogue possible,” he concluded. | Watch the recorded message from Minister José Manuel Albares.
