Spain, India Collaborating on Innovation, Tech, Culture, Governance: Amb Pujol

As India marches toward fulfilling its potential as a global powerhouse, nations across the world are deepening engagement with its people, its markets, and its ideas.

- MURTAZA ALI KHAN

As India marches toward fulfilling its potential as a global powerhouse, nations across the world are deepening engagement with its people, its markets, and its ideas. Among them is Spain—a country with a rich history, a deep tradition of urban design, and an eye on future partnerships with India.

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Guardian, Juan Antonio March Pujol, the Spanish Ambassador to India, shares his thoughts on education, innovation, urban development, food, and the visit of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez—the first by a Spanish head of government in 18 years—in October last year.

"We all greatly looked forward to the official visit of the Honorable President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, to India from 27th to 29th October 2024," the Ambassador said. "It was a landmark occasion—his first visit to India and the first visit by a Spanish head of government in 18 years."

The visit marked a high point in India-Spain relations and came with a packed agenda. "President Sánchez held high-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a strong focus on strengthening our strategic partnership," he explained.

A key moment in the visit was the joint inauguration of the Final Assembly Line for the C295 aircraft in Vadodara—a flagship ‘Make in India’ project symbolizing India’s self-reliance in defense and the growing synergy between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus Spain.

President Sánchez’s itinerary also included Mumbai, where he engaged with industry leaders, academics, and representatives from the film sector. "India and Spain signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs), further enhancing cooperation in areas like trade, renewable energy, defense, biotech, rail transport, and cultural exchange," the Ambassador noted.