Lal also spoke about the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and investment agreement between India and the EU and asserted that the issue is of interest for both nations..reports Asian Lite News
India on Monday highlighted the growing partnership with Spain, particularly in trade and investment and said that the country is an important partner within the European Union.
Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, while addressing a special briefing on an official visit of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to India, said, “Spain is an important partner within the European Union. It held the presidency of the EU last year. Spain is a member of the NATO. It is the 15th largest economy in the world. Spain is also the fifth largest economy within the EU. And Spain is also the top 10 defence exporters in the world. This visit contributes to the growing India-Spain partnership, which has various aspects, especially trade investment.”
He added, “The areas of collaboration are very wide, ranging from energy to logistics, transportation, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and IT, among others. The ongoing visit builds upon several continuing high-level exchanges.”
Lal also spoke about the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and investment agreement between India and the EU and asserted that the issue is of interest for both nations.
“The negotiations on an FTA and investment agreement between India and the European Union are ongoing. This is an issue that is of interest to both sides, including India and Spain. Both want an early and ambitious agreement to be finalised, which will be in the interest of both sides,” Lal said.
Lal also said that the visit by the Spanish President is a landmark visit. He said, “This has been a landmark visit. This is the first by the President of Spain in nearly two decades. He is accompanied by his wife, Begona Gomez, and also two ministers, the Minister of Industry and Tourism and the Minister for Transportation and Sustainable Mobility. He is also accompanied by a group of 15 CEOs of leading Spanish companies.”
He added, “The delegation was in Vadodara, and now they have left for Mumbai, where they have a busy day tomorrow. Their day began with a Shobha yatra, where both leaders, Prime Minister Modi and the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, were there together. This was followed by the joint inauguration by the two leaders of the Tata aircraft complex, which will be producing the C-295 military transport aircraft. This has been an example of industrial and manufacturing collaboration between India and Spain.” (ANI)
India, Spain urge dialogue to resolve Ukraine, West Asia tensions
Expressing deep concerns over war in Ukraine and tensions in West Asia, India and Spain on Monday emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve these crises.
In a joint statement during the visit of Pedro Sanchez, President of the Government of Spain, to India, both nations underscored their shared vision for a “free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.”
On Ukraine war, both nations called for a “comprehensive, just, and lasting peace” that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity
“The leaders expressed their deepest concern over the war in Ukraine and reiterated the need for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with international law, and consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement read.
They also underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as well as earnest engagement between all stakeholders to achieve a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Both sides agreed to remain in touch to support efforts aimed at a negotiated settlement of the conflict, the joint statement noted.
Condemning the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, India and Spain emphasized the need for restraint from all parties.
“They shared their firm commitment to achieving peace and stability in the Middle East and expressed their deep concern at the escalation of the security situation in West Asia and called for restraint by all concerned. They urged that all issues be addressed through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement read.
They called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and safe, sustained entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“The two leaders unequivocally condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and agreed that the large-scale loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unacceptable and must end as soon as possible. They called for the immediate release of all hostages, immediate ceasefire and safe, sustained entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the statement read.
The two leaders reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution, envisioning a sovereign Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel.
Addressing the Indo-Pacific region, both leaders recognized its strategic significance and underscored their shared vision for a “free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
They also highlighted the importance of working together for peace and stability in the region.
“Both sides emphasized the promotion of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, anchored in a rules-based international order, mutual respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, supported by effective regional institutions,” the statement read.
As per the statement, both the leaders highlighted the importance of unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation, in compliance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
Both sides acknowledged India’s invitation to Spain to participate in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) for collaborative efforts aimed at the management, conservation, sustainability, security, and development of the maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific.
“They also recognized the complementarity between India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” the statement noted.
In addition, President Sanchez extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Spain, emphasizing the desire to further deepen ties between the two nations.
The visit of President Sanchez, the first by a Spanish President of Government in 18 years, marked a new chapter in the India-Spain relationship, with both nations emphasizing their commitment to enhanced cooperation across multiple domains.
