The Spain-India Dual Year 2026 is a joint initiative of 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 program includes cultural festivals, business forums on innovation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and sustainable mobility, as well as conferences, academic programs and university exchange programs 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 The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will play a key role in the programming. In addition, regional and municipal governments—such as the Generalitat of Catalonia, the Barcelona City Council, and the Madrid City Council—will contribute with specific initiatives within the framework of 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 notable milestones such as the visit of the Reyes to India in 2012, the commemoration of the 60th anniversary in 2016, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Spain in 2017, which laid the groundwork for this celebration. In October 2024, the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, agreed with Narendra Modi to organize the Spain-India Dual Year in 2026, thus consolidating a future-oriented strategic relationship.
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 consolidating itself as an economic and political center of gravity.
This Friday, January 9, the headquarters of the Consulate General of India in Barcelona will host the celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2026, kicking off this event.
