Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares set for India visit

January 20, 2026

New Delhi: Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, will arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday, beginning a two-day official visit to India that is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation on regional and global issues.

High-level meetings during India visit
During his visit, Albares will hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on Wednesday. The discussions are expected to cover political, economic, cultural and strategic dimensions of India–Spain relations. Later the same day, the Spanish Foreign Minister will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, underlining the growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

Review of bilateral ties and upcoming cooperation initiatives
India and Spain have been steadily expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. On November 13 last year, the two sides held the 8th round of Foreign Office Consultations, during which they reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties. The consultations were co-chaired by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Diego Martinez Belio, Spain’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs. The discussions placed special emphasis on preparations for the upcoming India–Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to boost people-to-people ties and collaboration in emerging technologies.

Shared views on global issues and fight against terrorism
During the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides exchanged perspectives on key regional and global issues of mutual concern, including the global fight against terrorism. India reiterated its policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. Following the meeting, the Ministry of External Affairs said the discussions reflected a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation on security and global challenges.

Recent diplomatic exchanges highlight close engagement
In October 2025, EAM Jaishankar extended greetings to his Spanish counterpart and the people of Spain on their National Day, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepening multifaceted cooperation with Spain. “Best wishes to FM Jose Manuel Albares, the Government and the people of Spain on their National Day. Value the deepening of our multifaceted cooperation,” Jaishankar had posted on X.

Earlier, in May last year, Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Albares in the aftermath of heightened tensions following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The two leaders discussed India’s firm and measured response to cross-border terrorism, including ‘Operation Sindoor’, under which Indian armed forces targeted terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Visit expected to boost India–Spain partnership
Albares’ visit comes at a time when India and Spain are looking to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism, culture and technology. Officials said the visit will provide an opportunity to take stock of ongoing initiatives and explore new avenues for collaboration, while also reinforcing shared positions on international peace, security and counter-terrorism.