India-Spain Relations

A Spanish-designed military aircraft is now assembled in Vadodara, not Seville. It is one sign of how far India and Spain have come in 70 years of friendship. This page covers the aircraft, the visits and the 2026 Dual Year.

Think of four questions as you read. Why is a Spanish plane being built in Vadodara? How old is the friendship? What did Sánchez’s two visits achieve? And what do trade and the 2026 business tour show?

1Why is a Spanish plane being built in Vadodara?

The C-295 is a medium military transport aircraft. Airbus designed it in Spain. India now builds it at home.

On 28 October 2024 PM Modi and Spain’s President Pedro Sánchez inaugurated the Final Assembly Line plant in Vadodara. Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems co-produce the aircraft there. (Source: India News Network)

India ordered 56 aircraft for the Air Force. Forty are being made in India. The other 16 come directly from Airbus in Spain. Six of those had reached the Air Force by October 2024.

This is the first private-sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India. The plant is expected to give 600 direct skilled jobs and over 3,000 indirect jobs.

• Plant: Vadodara, inaugurated 28 October 2024.
• Partners: Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems.
• Order: 56 aircraft: 40 made in India, 16 delivered from Spain.

2How old is the friendship?

India and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1956. So 2026 is their 70th year.

To mark it, both countries are celebrating a Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence in 2026. (Source: PMINDIA)

The mix is deliberate. Culture and tourism are soft power. AI is hard technology. Both sit inside one 12-month frame.

• Diplomatic relations: 1956.
• 70th year: 2026.
• Dual Year: Culture, Tourism and AI.

3What did Sánchez’s two visits achieve?

Sánchez first visited India on 28–29 October 2024. It was the first visit by a Spanish head of government in 18 years. Apart from the C-295 plant, both sides backed each other for the UN Security Council. (Source: PMINDIA)

He returned on 18–19 February 2026 for the AI Impact Summit. He met PM Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. (Source: The Tribune)

The leaders talked about defence, security and technology. They also welcomed a conference of Indian Vice-Chancellors and Spanish university Rectors in New Delhi. (Source: MEA)

• First visit: 28–29 October 2024, first in 18 years.
• Second visit: 18–19 February 2026, AI Impact Summit.
• Both back each other at the UNSC.

4What do trade and the 2026 business tour show?

India-Spain trade was about USD 9.9 billion in 2023. Spain is among India’s larger trade partners in Europe. About 230 Spanish companies work in India. (Source: PMINDIA)

On 13 July 2026 Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal opened a business tour in Spain. He held a roundtable with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, CEOE and ICEX. The topics were autos, renewable energy, railways, AI, semiconductors and food processing. (Source: PIB)

Spain has also said it wants to move towards a deeper strategic partnership with India.

• Trade 2023: about USD 9.9 bn.
• Goyal in Spain: 13 July 2026.
• Next step talked about: a strategic partnership.

5What are the exam traps?

• Diplomatic relations: 1956.
• Dual Year 2026: culture, tourism and AI.
• C-295 assembled at Vadodara, not Spain.
• Sánchez 2024: first Spanish head of government visit in 18 years.