Madrid, Spain (DT) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will visit India next week to inaugurate an Airbus plant with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, engage in business forums, and tour Bollywood studios as part of an agenda to deepen bilateral economic and cultural ties.
Sánchez will begin his visit on Sunday, with stops in Vadodara in Gujarat and Indian commerical and entertainment capital Mumbai, accompanied by a delegation of business leaders invested in expanding commercial relations with India.
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His wife, Begoña Gómez, will also join him, with plans for a separate visit to a foundation run by Nita Ambani, wife of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
In Vadodara, which lies in Modi’s homestate of Gujrata, Sánchez and Modi will inaugurate an Airbus factory, where 40 of the 56 C295 aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force will be produced.
The factory reflects Spain’s industrial stake in India and supports shared defense goals.
Mumbai will be the trip’s second stage, featuring a business forum with Indian and Spanish business representatives, a visit to a Tata technology center, and a tour of Bollywood studios.
Sánchez aims to boost cultural collaboration and showcase Spain’s bid to become a leading European audiovisual hub, with aspirations for more Indian productions filmed in Spain and potential studios established on Spanish soil.
Sánchez’s first trip to India marks a fresh start for bilateral relations, underscoring India’s increasing global influence as the world’s most populous democracy and a pivotal partner in addressing global challenges, including climate change.
Bollywood Engagement: A Cultural Celebration On his itinerary, PM Sanchez is set to meet with leading figures in Bollywood, including prominent directors and producers, to discuss cross-cultural projects aimed at enhancing Spain’s presence in the Indian entertainment market. Spain, with its picturesque locales, has long been a favorite for Bollywood shoots, and Sanchez hopes to foster additional co-productions and explore opportunities for Spain to play a bigger role in the global film industry.
Airbus Deal to Enhance Defense Ties One of the most anticipated points of Sanchez’s visit is a meeting on defense cooperation, particularly focusing on an Airbus manufacturing collaboration. Airbus, with a strong presence in both nations, is expected to finalize agreements to manufacture defense and civilian aircraft components in India. This deal not only promises a significant boost to India’s “Make in India” initiative but also symbolizes a robust Spain-India partnership in defense technology.
The visit is poised to deepen Spain-India relations on all fronts, from fostering cultural exchange to securing critical defense and business partnerships.
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