The Diplomat
The Spain-India Dual Year 2026 is a joint initiative by both governments to strengthen strategic, economic, cultural and technological ties between the two nations. This celebration, sponsored by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
The programme includes cultural festivals, business forums on innovation, artificial intelligence, renewable energies and sustainable mobility, as well as conferences, academic and university exchange programmes in Barcelona, Madrid and New Delhi.
Together with Casa Asia, institutions such as the Spain-India Council Foundation -which held the 5th Spain-India Forum in October 2025 in Barcelona-, the Instituto Cervantes and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will play a key role in programming. In addition, autonomous and municipal governments such as the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Ajuntament de Barcelona and the Ayuntamiento de Madrid will join in specific initiatives within their strategies for Asia.
Spain and India established diplomatic relations in 1956, and in 1958 Spain opened its resident embassy in New Delhi. Since then, the relationship has evolved with milestones such as the visit of the Kings to India in 2012, the commemoration of the 60th anniversary in 2016 and the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Spain in 2017, which laid the foundations for this celebration. In October 2024, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, agreed with Narendra Modi the organization of the Dual Year Spain-India in 2026, thus consolidating a strategic relationship oriented to the future.
With this initiative, both countries seek to strengthen mutual understanding and project a long-term strategic relationship, in a global context where Asia-Pacific is consolidated as the center of economic and political gravity.
Today, January 9, the headquarters of the Consulate General of India in Barcelona will host the celebration of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2026, giving the kick-off to this anniversary.
