India and Spain have strengthened their bilateral relations with the signing of several key memorandums of understanding (MOUs) during a high-level meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez.
The talks, held at the historic Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Monday, focused on enhancing cooperation across sectors such as infrastructure, railways, culture and tourism.
Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, briefed the media on the agreements, highlighting the significance of these MOUs in boosting ties between the two nations. One of the most notable agreements was an MoU on rail transport, which will see India and Spain collaborate on the planning, design, development, and operation of long-distance passenger and freight networks, as well as urban and regional railway systems. This partnership aims to advance infrastructure development, rail facilities and equipment in both countries.
The two leaders also agreed to designate 2026 as the ‘India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI,’ underscoring their commitment to deepening cultural ties and embracing emerging technologies. A cultural exchange program for the years 2024 to 2028 was also signed, which will promote bilateral exchanges in music, dance, theatre, literature, museums and festivals.
In a significant diplomatic development, Spain announced plans to open a consulate in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s capital, further expanding its presence in India. Meanwhile, India had already operationalized its consulate general in Barcelona in August this year, bolstering consular services and bilateral relations between the two countries.
These agreements reflect a shared vision for closer cooperation, with both leaders expressing optimism about future collaborations in sectors that will benefit the citizens of India and Spain.