Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Wednesday described India as a reliable and trusted international partner and strongly supported the early finalisation of the India–European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling it an important step to strengthen ties between India and Europe.

During his meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, Albares highlighted India’s growing global importance and Spain’s interest in deepening bilateral cooperation. Emphasising shared values, he underlined India’s commitment to international law, multilateralism, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

“It’s very important for Spain to foster our relationship with such a reliable country like India, a country that believes in international law, that upholds the principles of the United Nations charter, and that believes in multilateralism. A very good sign would be the final agreement of the FTA with the European Union that we very much would love to see being put forward,” Albares said.

The Spanish Foreign Minister also pointed to existing cooperation between the two countries as a strong foundation for future engagement. He cited the partnership between Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems as a clear example of successful collaboration that both nations aim to expand further.

Albares further shared that the Spanish President, Pedro Sánchez, is expected to visit India in the near future. He also expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be able to visit Spain, indicating the growing warmth and momentum in bilateral relations.

“We will also express our wish of upgrading our relationship to a strategic association that is the highest level of relationship that we have with friends, as is the case in India,” Albares said, highlighting Spain’s intention to elevate ties with India to the highest diplomatic level.

In addition, the Spanish Foreign Minister thanked India for the solidarity shown towards the Spanish people during a difficult period. This came in the context of a recent tragic train accident in Adamuz, Spain.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident. He also wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured in the mishap, reflecting India’s support and empathy during the tragedy.

The meeting between the two leaders underlined the steady growth in India-Spain relations, the shared commitment to global cooperation, and the mutual desire to strengthen economic and strategic engagement through initiatives such as the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.