Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Spain in May 2017. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi called on His Majesty King Felipe VI. They exchanged views on the various aspects of bilateral relations and expressed their commitment to further strengthening India-Spain ties.
President of Spain Mariano Rajoy and Prime Minister Modi exchanged views on shared regional and global priorities pertaining to international peace and security and agreed to deepen consultations and cooperation in the following areas:
1. They decided to continue the dialogue and cooperation on terrorism between the concerned Ministries and the security agencies, in order to share best practices, experiences and reinforce and speed up cooperation on the ground.
2. They discussed the challenges present in cyberspace and committed to further their dialogue, both bilaterally, and through a closer coordination in the international fora. They welcomed the signing of a bilateral MOU on Cyber Security.
3. They stressed the importance of enhancing the common understanding on security and strategic issues of mutual interest relating to the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Mediterranean, and Latin America and urged greater bilateral contacts including through Indian and Spanish Think Tanks.
They welcomed the MOU on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academies of the two countries and expressed their hope that this will enhance mutual understanding between the two Foreign Ministries.
In keeping with expanding India-Spain relations, Prime Minister Modi announced opening of an Indian Consulate in Barcelona.
They welcomed the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral Agreement on Customs Cooperation and expressed their intention to conclude them by the end of 2017.
The two leaders also welcomed the signing of an Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Agreement for the exemption of Diplomatic Passport Visas and of the Agreement to facilitate in both countries the employment of dependants of personnel posted in diplomatic and consular missions.
Both leaders welcomed the recently concluded MoU between the National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER) of Spain and the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) of India.
They agreed to increase cooperation in the fields of blue economy, astrophysics, biotechnology, life sciences and oncology and develop synergies to successfully address the sustainable development agendas of both countries. This includes developing a Strategic Alliance on oncology and setting up of a Spain-India biotech corridor.
Both leaders welcomed the completed and ongoing rounds of successful joint funding of research and development projects by the two countries in priority areas including clean energy, health, biotechnology, agricultural technology, food processing, smart cities, information technology and nanotechnology under the ongoing India Spain Joint Programme of Cooperation signed in 2009.
They welcomed the decision to hold Science, Technology and Innovation Steering Committee Meeting between Spain and India in September 2017 in Spain.
They stressed upon the importance of maximizing cooperation in innovation and tapping into new opportunities for cooperation under EU Horizon2020 Programme.
Following MoUs/Agreements were signed during the visit:
1. MOU on Technical Cooperation in Civil Aviation
2. MOU on Cooperation in organ transplantation between India’s Directorate General of Health Services and the National Transplant Organization of Spain
3. MOU on Cooperation in Cyber Security
4. MOU on Cooperation in Renewable Energy
5. Agreement for Transfer of Sentenced Persons
6. MOU between Foreign Service Institute and Diplomatic Academy of Spain
7. Agreement on visa waiver for holders of diplomatic passports