In what is being deemed a historic event, Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, is on an India visit. This is the first time in nearly 2 decades or about 18 years, that a Spanish PM is visiting the subcontinental giant.
Spanish PM In India After 2 Decades
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was the prime minister of the Spanish Kingdom between 2004 and 2011.
One of the most crucial aspects of Sanchez’s visit is the inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex in Gujarat’s Vadodara. This facility led by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) in the Western Indian state will make C-295 aircraft.
VIDEO | Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi arrives at airport road in Vadodara where PM Modi along with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez are set to jointly inaugurate the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft. It is the first private sector final assembly… pic.twitter.com/Ap9Eask12y
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 28, 2024
The Defence Push In Gujarat
This project is being carried out in collaboration with the European aircraft and aviation giant, Airbus Defence, which itself works as collaboration between major European countries, including Spain.
#WATCH | Gujarat: Spain President Pedro Sánchez arrived in Vadodara, marking the first visit by a Spanish President to India in nearly two decades. pic.twitter.com/ahcK7FZEFH
— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2024
Sanchez will inaugurate this complex in the company of his Indian counterpart, PM Narendra Modi. The two of them will also be presenting a C-295 aircraft to the nations, charting a new chapter towards building a defence industry in the country that is largely reliant on external players for its defence requirements.
This is a monumental development for India; this would the realisation fo India’s first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.
A total of 40 airctrafts are expected to be manufactured as part of the agreement between Tata and Airbus.
In a post on X, the Spanish PM said, “I am embarking on my first official trip to India with the aim of reviving our bilateral relations.”
Inicio mi primer viaje oficial a India con el objetivo de relanzar nuestras relaciones bilaterales.
India es un actor clave y una voz muy destacada en la comunidad internacional con quien abordaremos muchos de los desafíos conjuntos que tenemos por delante. pic.twitter.com/rKPB3gZmqK
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 27, 2024
“India is a key player and a very prominent voice in the international community with whom we will address many of the joint challenges that lie ahead.”
#WATCH | Vadodara, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez hold a roadshow in Vadodara
The two leaders will inaugurate the Final Assembly Line Plant of C295 aircraft at Vadodara today
(Source: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/bLO4N4o0G0
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024
In addition, the Spanish PM also held a road show with PM Modi.
Post this, PM Sanchez is slated to fly to India’s business capital, Mumbai.
India is reported to have a total trade of USD 135.31 billion with the European Union, of which Spain is a major part. Spain has a trade deficit of -USD 3.8 billion with India.
