Spain seeks deeper ties: FM Alberes lauds India as trusted partner, backs India-EU FTA deal
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Alberes arrived in India on a two-day visit. On Wednesday, he held delegation-level talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During the talks, the Spanish Foreign Minister emphasized India's growing importance as a trusted international partner and the need to deepen mutual cooperation.
The Spanish foreign minister stressed that finalising an India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be a good step. The meeting between the two leaders took place in the national capital, New Delhi.
During a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Alberes said, "It is very important for Spain to foster its relationship with a trusted country like India, a country that believes in international law, that upholds the principles of the UN Charter, and that believes in multilateralism. Final agreement on a free trade agreement with the European Union would be a very good sign, and we would very much like to see it move forward."
The Spanish Foreign Minister said that the partnership between Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems is a true example of the cooperation that both countries want to promote. He further noted that Spanish President Pedro Sanchez will soon visit India. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be able to visit Spain.
"We will continue to work bilaterally with the European Union, as well as in the area of multilateralism. We would be delighted to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, and I bring you this letter to mark that moment," he said.
Albares stressed on the growing cooperation between India and Spain, saying, “We will also express our desire to upgrade our relationship to a strategic association, which is the highest level of relationship we have with friends, like the one we have with India.”
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Alberes thanked India for its solidarity with the people of Spain during this difficult time. Earlier, EAM Jaishankar expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the train accident in Adamuz, Spain, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.