"Bienvenido a India": Spanish President Pedro Sanchez arrives in Vadorara, to meet PM Modi today

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez arrived in Vadodara, Gujarat in the early hours of Monday for his three-day visit to India, during which he will be holding delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Upon his arrival, the Ministry of External Affairs took to social media platform X greeting the Spanish leader, "Bienvenido a India!"

"President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sanchez touches down in Vadodara, marking the first visit by a Spanish President to India in 18 years. An official visit to elevate India-Spain relations to new heights," the MEA added.

Bienvenido a India!President of the Government of Spain @sanchezcastejon touches down in Vadodara, marking the first visit by a Spanish President to in 18 years.

An official visit to elevate - relations to new heights. pic.twitter.com/c95RU3ZGj7

- Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 27, 2024

President Sanchez was received by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri at the Vadodara International Airport.

During his visit, the Spanish President will be inaugurating the Final Assembly Line Plant of C295 aircraft at Vadodara, a flagship "Make in India" initiative in the aviation sector, along with PM Modi. The plant is been set up by Tata Advanced Systems in collaboration with Airbus Spain.

Prior to his visit, the city of Vadodara had been decked up with beautiful lights. This is the first visit of President Sanchez to India which is also taking place after 18 years.

President Sanchez will also visit Mumbai, where, apart from official engagements, he will interact with trade and industry leaders, think tanks, and the film industry.

He will address the 4th Spain India Forum organised by the Spain-India Council Foundation and the Observer Research Foundation. He will also visit prominent film studios where he will interact with leading celebrities in Indian movie industries, to foster greater collaboration between the Indian and Spanish media and entertainment industry.

Several MoUs/Agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, which shall give a fillip to bilateral cooperation.

President Sanchez's visit will be an opportunity to review the entire gamut of our bilateral relations and further deepen the partnership across various sectors, including trade and investment, IT, innovation, infrastructure, renewable energy, defence and security, pharma, agro-tech and biotech, culture and tourism, the MEA stated.