India-Spain sign MoUs in rail transport, customs & investment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of the Government of Spain, Mr Pedro Sánchez, discussed a range of bilateral issues during delegation-level talks in Vadodara, Gujarat. In a Joint statement, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in promoting sustainable energy and adapting to climate change. 

The two leaders looked forward to the early conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Renewable Energy. Spain has invited India to join the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), launched in 2022 to promote actions that reduce countries’ vulnerability to drought through preparedness and adaptation measures.

Both leaders condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all forms, including the use of terrorist proxies and cross-border terrorism. Mr Modi and Mr Sanchez agreed that terrorism poses a serious threat to international peace and stability and called for the swift justice of perpetrators. They also emphasized the need for coordinated action against all terrorist groups listed by the UNSC, including Al Qa’ida, ISIS, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

To enhance people-to-people ties and consular services in the two countries, the two leaders welcome the operationalisation of India’s first Consulate General in Spain at Barcelona and the decision to open Spain’s Consulate General



in Bengaluru.

Prime Minister Modi and President Sanchez reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership and to advancing the EU-India triple negotiations of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, Investment Protection Agreement and Geographical Indications Agreement.

Both leaders expressed their deepest concern over the war in Ukraine and reiterated the need for peace in line with international law. They also shared their firm commitment to achieving peace and stability in West Asia and called for restraint by all concerned.

Briefing the media in Vadodara, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Tanmaya Lal, said several MoUs were signed in today’s engagement, including those related to rail transport, customs, finance mechanisms for investment, and cultural exchanges. He said that both countries will celebrate the year 2026 as the Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI.

                                                         

Mr. Lal also informed that bilateral trade between India and Spain has reached 10 billion dollars, and nearly 240 Spanish companies have a presence in India.