Shri Piyush Goyal, Spain's First Vice-President Discuss Expanding Trade, Investment and Innovation Cooperation

Shri Piyush Goyal Holds Talks with Spain's Industry Minister to Advance Manufacturing and Innovation Partnership

India–Spain Business Forum Explores New Opportunities for Bilateral Trade, Investment and Industry Collaboration

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, commenced the Spain leg of his official visit on 13 July 2026 with a series of high-level engagements aimed at deepening the India-Spain economic partnership and expanding cooperation in trade, investment, innovation and industry. The visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen bilateral economic ties and explore new avenues of collaboration across priority sectors. The visit assumes particular significance as the two countries commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations and celebrate the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence 2026.

During the day, the Minister held high-level bilateral meetings with senior members of the Government of Spain, engaged with business leaders and investment promotion agencies, addressed the India-Spain Business Forum and interacted with members of the Indian business delegation to advance economic cooperation, facilitate greater industry partnerships and showcase India's growing opportunities for global investors.

Shri Goyal held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Carlos Cuerpo Caballero, First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister of Economy, Trade and Business. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations, enhance business cooperation, promote innovation-led growth and identify new areas for economic collaboration. The discussions focused on improving market access, building resilient supply chains and expanding commercial partnerships between the two countries, with particular emphasis on renewable energy, green hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, infrastructure and innovation. They also exchanged views on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and explored ways to deepen business ties and expand India's commercial engagement with Spain. Both sides agreed to make full use of the Fast Track Mechanism to facilitate new investments and strengthen business confidence, and looked forward to convening the next session of the India-Spain Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation later this year.

The Minister also met H.E. Mr. Jordi Hereu Boher, Minister of Industry and Tourism of Spain. The discussions centred on enhancing industrial cooperation, promoting sustainable manufacturing, supporting technology partnerships and fostering collaboration in sectors such as clean energy, mobility, advanced manufacturing and tourism. Both sides also discussed expanding cooperation in automotive, railways and smart infrastructure. They welcomed the C-295 programme as a flagship example of industrial collaboration under the "Make in India" initiative. The two Ministers underlined tourism as a shared priority, with 2026 marking the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence, reflecting a partnership that continues to draw the economies and peoples of the two countries closer together. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening industry-to-industry engagement.

A key highlight of the visit was the India-Spain Business Forum, jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Chamber of Commerce of Spain, the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) and ICEX Spain Trade and Investment. The Forum brought together senior government officials, industry leaders and business representatives from both countries to explore new avenues of economic cooperation.

The Forum commenced with welcome remarks by Ms. Inmaculada Riera, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Spain; Ms. Marta Blanco, President of the International Relations Committee of CEOE; Mr. Anant Goenka, President of FICCI; Mr. R. Mukundan, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII); and H.E. Mr. Jayant N. Khobragade, Ambassador of India to Spain and Andorra.

The keynote session featured addresses by Mr. Jordi García Brustenga, Secretary of State for Industry, Government of Spain, and Shri Piyush Goyal. During his address and interactions with leading Spanish industry representatives and business leaders, Shri Goyal highlighted India's emergence as the world's fastest-growing major economy, its strong economic growth, progressive reforms and vast investment opportunities. He invited Spanish companies to expand their presence in India and actively participate in the country's growth story across sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, digital economy and innovation.

The keynote addresses were followed by an interactive question-and-answer session and a networking reception, providing business leaders from both countries an opportunity to exchange views on expanding commercial partnerships and investment opportunities.

Shri Goyal also engaged with senior officials of ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones, Spain's trade and investment promotion agency, to discuss measures for strengthening bilateral investment flows, facilitating business linkages and encouraging greater participation of Spanish enterprises in India's growth story. The discussions focused on promoting investment partnerships, technology collaboration and supporting businesses from both countries.

At the conclusion of the day's programme, Shri Goyal interacted with members of the Indian business delegation led by FICCI. During the debriefing session, he exchanged views with industry leaders on the opportunities identified during the visit and encouraged greater Indian investment and business partnerships with Spain in the years ahead.

The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Spain to further deepen their strategic economic partnership through enhanced trade, investment, industrial collaboration, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. Building on the strong political understanding between the two countries, both sides expressed confidence that the outcomes of the visit would contribute to expanding bilateral economic cooperation and creating new opportunities for businesses and investors.