Rapid Fire
India–Spain: Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
- 23 Jan 2026
- 3 min read
President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the need for India and Spain to unite their resources and capabilities to combat global terrorism during a meeting with the Spanish Foreign Minister.
- The year 2026 marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain, to be celebrated as the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence.
- Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Both nations share a firm stance against terrorism, viewing it as a critical threat to global peace.
- The President called for pooling resources to fight terrorism in "all its forms and manifestations."
- As strong proponents of multilateralism, India and Spain should collaborate on platforms like the United Nations and G-20 to promote global stability and prosperity.
- India–Spain Economic Relations: Spain is India’s 6th largest trade partner in the European Union(EU). Bilateral trade reached USD 9.32 billion in 2024, while Spain is the 16th largest investor in India with cumulative FDI of USD 4.29 billion.
- Institutional mechanisms like the India–Spain Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC), fast-track investment mechanism underpin this expanding economic engagement.
- The signing of the India-EU FTA is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade. The EU is currently India's largest trading partner, with goods trade reaching USD 135 billion in FY 2023-24.
- Spain: It shares land borders with Portugal (west), France and Andorra (northeast), and Gibraltar (south).
- Its maritime boundaries are defined by the Bay of Biscay (north), the Atlantic Ocean (northwest/southwest), and the Mediterranean Sea (southeast/east).
- The country features diverse topography, including the Pyrenees Mountains, the Meseta Central plateau, and the Tabernas Desert, while also encompassing the strategic Balearic and Canary Islands.
| Read more: Perspective: Strengthening India-Spain Relations |
