A few days after the German Chancellor visits India, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will travel to India next week for an official visit. He aims to revitalise the commercial relationship between Spain and India and establish Spain as a significant player in Asia. Notably, he had visited China a month ago. The Spanish economy is eager to attract investments from these key Asian markets.
During the visit, Sánchez and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate an Airbus factory. Additionally, they will seek to secure a €4.62 billion contract for Navantia, a renowned Spanish state-owned company known for designing and constructing advanced military and civilian vessels. This mega-contract involves building six advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy, and Spain is in fierce competition with Germany for it.
In March of this year, Navantia presented an environmentally sustainable submarine as its proposal to Indian authorities. The Spanish Secretary of State for Defence, Amparo Valcarce, emphasised that Navantia’s green submarine is unique, stating, “It is the submarine that makes the difference. It has numerous advantages, particularly regarding safety, efficiency, and an extended lifecycle.”
A high-level delegation, including the president of Navantia, will accompany the Spanish prime minister. Sánchez will support the Spanish proposal, emphasising that it is the best option from a technical perspective and aligns with the needs of the Indian government.
The two Prime Ministers will inaugurate an Airbus factory in Vadodara, India, where Spain has invested capital. The factory will manufacture 40 of the 56 C295 aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force.
Finally, Sánchez is also keen to promote Spain as a major hub for Bollywood, the Indian audiovisual industry. The Spanish delegation will visit Bollywood studios, where they will meet with producers and actors to promote Spain as an audiovisual hub and encourage Indian filmmakers to shoot and produce their films there.
