New Delhi, Feb 18 (NationPress) The President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, emphasized the strong ties between Spain and India on Wednesday, expressing confidence that these relations will be further fortified after his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

“In my meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I acknowledged the robust state of our relations, which we aim to enhance. I also congratulated him on the successful organization of the Summit on Artificial Intelligence. We both agree on the importance of advancing an AI that prioritizes humanity,” Sanchez shared on X following their meeting.

This marks President Sanchez's second trip to India within 15 months, his previous visit occurring in October 2024. Both nations are designating the year 2026 as the India-Spain Year focused on culture, tourism, and Artificial Intelligence. A major theme of this Spain-India Dual Year is centered around AI.

During their discussions, both leaders explored avenues to enhance the India-Spain partnership, particularly concerning defense, security, technology, and more.

“I had a fruitful dialogue with President Pedro Sanchez in Delhi. We explored ways to strengthen the India-Spain friendship, especially in defense, security, technology, and beyond. Our nations are celebrating 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI, which will enhance connections between our people. I'm pleased to witness a significant delegation from universities visiting India, which will further unite our populations,” PM Modi posted on X post-meeting.

“The historic FTA with the EU is expected to positively influence our economic collaboration with Spain, creating new opportunities for our citizens,” he added.

President Sanchez arrived in New Delhi earlier to participate in the AI Impact Summit 2026, a global initiative highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence across various sectors and governance.

The ongoing international summit, dedicated to the future of AI, has assembled technology leaders, policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from diverse regions. Its mission is to demonstrate how AI can yield tangible benefits for society, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable development.

The AI Impact Summit 2026 is the first global summit on Artificial Intelligence hosted in the Global South, aiming to pave a path toward a future where AI's transformative capabilities benefit humanity, promote inclusive growth, and foster social advancement while safeguarding our planet. It also strives to amplify the voices of the Global South, ensuring that technological progress is equitably distributed rather than concentrated in select regions.

After his meeting with PM Modi, Sanchez attended the inauguration of a mural collaboratively created by Spanish and Indian artists as part of the Street Art Project in the Lodhi Art District. He was accompanied by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

“India and Spain also intersect through urban art. During the Spain-India Dual Year, I visited the mural in Lodhi District with Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, which represents a collaboration between artists from both nations,” he posted on X.