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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the leadership of Spain and Finland and emphasized the need to give new impetus to the India-EU FTA, AI cooperation, and defense-technology partnership. Global technology cooperation also received a boost through the India AI Impact Expo 2026 in Delhi.
A 'golden era' begins in India-Europe relations
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a separate meeting with Spanish President Pedro Sánchez on Wednesday. The talks reached an agreement to enhance cooperation in areas such as defense, security, technology, infrastructure, climate, and renewable energy.
The two countries reiterated their decision to celebrate 2026 as the "India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI," which will give new impetus to people-to-people contacts and educational cooperation.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of the final assembly line of the Tata-Airbus C-295 transport aircraft, which was jointly inaugurated in Vadodara in October 2024.
They also emphasized advancing defense industrial cooperation through co-development and co-production models. They also strongly condemned all forms of terrorism and reiterated the need to enhance international cooperation.
Both sides hailed the historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded between India and the European Union on January 27 as a game-changer for economic partnership. Prime Minister Modi stated that the agreement marks the beginning of a "golden era" in India-Europe relations and will provide a new direction for trade and investment with Spain.
This FTA will create a shared market of nearly 2 billion people, opening up vast opportunities for industry, services, and innovation.
President Sánchez commended the organization of the AI Summit, noting that both countries share a common vision for human-centered AI development. Recognizing AI as a transformative force, he emphasized close cooperation for inclusive development and social benefit.
The conference of vice-chancellors/rectors of Indian and Spanish universities was welcomed in the context of the new education policy, and STEM and technology institutions were invited to open campuses in India.
Prime Minister Modi also held detailed discussions with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo. The two leaders agreed to double bilateral trade and enhance cooperation in emerging technologies such as 6G and quantum, clean energy, biofuels, the circular economy, and defense. Digitalization and sustainability were identified as key pillars of future economic growth.
Both leaders have arrived in Delhi to participate in the India AI Impact Expo 2026. On February 19, PM Modi will inaugurate the expo, which will feature over 600 startups, pavilions from 13 countries, over 20 heads of state/government, 60 ministers, and 500 global AI leaders. This event is becoming a platform to give new direction to global AI governance and innovation cooperation.
