India-Spain: 2026 to be Year of Culture, Tourism and AI; consulates in Bengaluru and Barcelona
On 28 October 2024, during Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's visit to India (28â29 October), the two sides announced 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI and a Spanish Consulate in Bengaluru.
Summary
On 28 October 2024, during the visit of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, to India (28â29 October 2024), the MEA released the joint statement and list of outcomes. It was his first visit to India and the first by a Spanish head of government in 18 years. The outcomes included an agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, the announcement of 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI, a Spanish Consulate in Bengaluru and the operationalisation of an Indian Consulate in Barcelona, and fast-track mechanisms in DPIIT and Spain's trade ministry to ease mutual investment.
Key facts
- Visit
- 28â29 Oct 2024
- Visitor
- Pedro Sanchez, President of the Government of Spain
- First
- His first visit to India; first by a Spanish head of government in 18 years
- 2026
- India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI
- Consulates
- Spanish Consulate in Bengaluru; Indian Consulate in Barcelona
- Agreement
- Cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters
Practice MCQs 3 questions
During Pedro Sanchez's visit in October 2024, India and Spain announced 2026 as the India-Spain Year of:
Show answer
Correct answer: D â Culture, Tourism and AI
MEA list of outcomes (PIB), 28 Oct 2024: Announcement of the Year 2026 as India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI.
In which Indian city did Spain announce it would establish a consulate in October 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: A â Bengaluru
MEA list of outcomes (PIB), 28 Oct 2024: establishment of a Spanish Consulate in Bengaluru and operationalisation of the Indian Consulate in Barcelona.
According to the India-Spain Joint Statement, Pedro Sanchez's visit in October 2024 was the first visit by a President of the Government of Spain to India after how many years?
Show answer
Correct answer: C â 18
MEA joint statement (PIB), 28 Oct 2024: this was the first visit by a President of the Government of Spain to India after 18 years.