India, Spain sign MoUs on infrastructure, rail transport

India and Spain on Monday signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including one on setting up a fast-track mechanism to facilitate mutual investments in the two countries.

The MoUs, mainly on cooperation in key sectors like infrastructure and railways, were signed at a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish President Pedro Sanchez in Vadodara, said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs.

An MoU on rail transport was signed for cooperation in planning, design, development, commissioning and operation of infrastructure, stations, railways facilities and equipment of long-distance passenger and freight networks as well as urban and regional railway systems.

It was agreed that 2026 would be celebrated as “India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI”.

An agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in Customs related matters was signed during the meeting. It will facilitate exchange of information for prevention, detection, investigation and combating Customs offences.

During the talks, both leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine and West Asia, said Lal.

A joint statement said, “They (Modi and Sanchez) underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

Lal said, “PM Modi reiterated India’s position that this is not the time for war and conflict cannot be resolved on the battleground.”

Without naming China, the statement said India and Spain emphasised the promotion of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, anchored in a rules-based international order.

The two highlighted importance of unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation, in compliance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. Notably, China has refused to accept the verdict of the UNCLOS on demarcating maritime boundaries of the South China Sea.

Modi and Sanchez unequivocally condemned the terror attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. They agreed that the large-scale loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was unacceptable and must end as soon as possible, the statement said.

The Spanish delegation included two ministers and 15 CEOs of leading companies, said Lal. The bilateral talks were followed by a banquet lunch at the grand palace hosted by PM Modi.