Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal commenced the Spain leg of his official visit on 13 July 2026 with a series of high-level engagements aimed at deepening the India-Spain economic partnership. The visit assumes particular significance as the two countries commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations and celebrate the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence 2026.
Minister Goyal held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Carlos Cuerpo Caballero, First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations, enhancing business cooperation, and promoting innovation-led growth. Specific emphasis was placed on improving market access, building resilient supply chains, and expanding commercial partnerships in renewable energy, green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and infrastructure. Both sides discussed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and agreed to make full use of the Fast Track Mechanism to facilitate new investments. They look forward to convening the next session of the India-Spain Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation later this year.
Another meeting was held with H.E. Mr. Jordi Hereu Boher, Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain, focusing on enhancing industrial cooperation, promoting sustainable manufacturing, and supporting technology partnerships. Discussions covered collaboration in clean energy, mobility, advanced manufacturing, tourism, automotive, railways, and smart infrastructure. The C-295 programme was highlighted as a flagship example of industrial collaboration under the "Make in India" initiative. Tourism was underlined as a shared priority for 2026, which marks the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence.
The India-Spain Business Forum, jointly organized by FICCI, the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, CEOE, and ICEX Spain Trade and Investment, brought together senior government officials and industry leaders from both countries. The Forum featured welcome remarks by Ms. Inmaculada Riera (CEO of Chamber of Commerce of Spain), Ms. Marta Blanco (President of International Relations Committee of CEOE), Mr. Anant Goenka (President of FICCI), Mr. R. Mukundan (President of CII), and H.E. Mr. Jayant N. Khobragade (Ambassador of India to Spain and Andorra). Keynote addresses were delivered by Mr. Jordi García Brustenga, Secretary of State for Industry, Government of Spain, and Shri Piyush Goyal.
During his address, Minister Goyal highlighted India's emergence as the world's fastest-growing major economy, its strong economic growth, progressive reforms, and vast investment opportunities. He invited Spanish companies to expand their presence in India across manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, digital economy, and innovation sectors. The Forum included an interactive question-and-answer session and networking reception for business leaders to exchange views on expanding commercial partnerships.
Minister Goyal also engaged with senior officials of ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, Spain's trade and investment promotion agency, to discuss measures for strengthening bilateral investment flows, facilitating business linkages, and encouraging greater participation of Spanish enterprises in India's growth story. The discussions focused on promoting investment partnerships and technology collaboration.
At the conclusion of the program, Shri Goyal interacted with members of the Indian business delegation led by FICCI, exchanging views on opportunities identified during the visit and encouraging greater Indian investment and business partnerships with Spain. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment to deepen strategic economic partnership through enhanced trade, investment, industrial collaboration, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges.