How Can India and Spain Collaborate to Combat Terrorism?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
In New Delhi on January 21, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the necessity for India and Spain to combine their resources and capabilities to effectively combat terrorism in all its forms. She highlighted that both nations share a common stance against this global threat, which jeopardizes peace and stability worldwide.
These comments were made during a meeting with Jose Manuel Albares, Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Murmu urged both countries to collaborate on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and G20 to advance their mutual objectives of peace, prosperity, and stability.
As part of the celebration marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, President Murmu announced the 'India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence', according to a statement from the President's Secretariat.
Discussing the economic relationship, President Murmu noted that trade and investment between India and Spain are on a steady rise. She pointed out that Spain's expertise in areas such as engineering, railways, renewable energy, urban services, and defence aerospace aligns well with India's developmental goals. She expressed optimism that the forthcoming signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union will further enhance these economic ties.
Minister Albares met with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar earlier in the day, where they discussed bilateral cooperation and global issues. EAM Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Spain's support in strengthening ties between India and the European Union across various sectors.
In a post on social media, EAM Jaishankar confirmed the productive discussions held with Minister Albares, covering topics such as trade, investment, defence, technology, education, and people-to-people connections. He thanked Spain for its commitment to deeper ties with India and welcomed Spain’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Albares characterized India as a global actor and a crucial partner for Spain, adding that they agreed on the importance of enhancing collaboration in tourism, culture, and Artificial Intelligence.
In a heartfelt message, Albares expressed gratitude for the condolences and support offered by his Indian counterpart during a difficult time for Spain.