India and Spain Reinforce Zero-Tolerance Stand on Terrorism, Deepen Strategic Cooperation

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated that the global community must adopt a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, stressing that selective approaches only weaken the collective fight against extremist violence. During his meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares in New Delhi, Jaishankar underlined that terrorism remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and demands consistent, uncompromising action from all nations.

Both India and Spain have endured the consequences of terrorism, giving their dialogue a shared sense of urgency. Jaishankar emphasised that countries affected by such violence must work together to ensure that terror networks, their financiers, and their ideological supporters are confronted without hesitation or political ambiguity.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Photo:PTI) | Business Standard

Shared Democratic Values and Strategic Convergence

The discussions reflected a broader convergence between India and Spain, rooted in democratic values, respect for international law, and commitment to a rules-based global order. Jaishankar noted that the evolving geopolitical environment requires trusted partnerships, particularly among like-minded nations that value stability and multilateral cooperation.

Spain, as an influential member of the European Union, occupies a growing place in India’s strategic calculations. The meeting highlighted how bilateral ties have matured beyond traditional diplomacy into a partnership shaped by security cooperation, economic engagement, and people-to-people exchanges.

Growing Economic and Defence Cooperation

Economic relations between India and Spain have expanded steadily, with bilateral trade crossing eight billion dollars and strong investment flows in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, transport, and urban development. Indian companies have also increased their presence in Spain, particularly in information technology, pharmaceuticals, and engineering services.

Defence cooperation has emerged as a key pillar of the relationship. A major symbol of this partnership is the joint production of C-295 transport aircraft in India under the Airbus-Tata collaboration. This initiative aligns with India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing while strengthening long-term industrial ties with Spain.

Cultural Engagement and People-to-People Ties

Beyond security and commerce, both ministers emphasised the importance of cultural and social connections. As India and Spain approach the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, the two sides have launched a Dual Year focused on culture, tourism, and artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to promote deeper understanding between societies while encouraging collaboration in innovation and emerging technologies.

Educational exchanges, tourism flows, and cultural cooperation were also identified as important drivers of long-term goodwill and mutual familiarity, particularly among younger generations.

Spain’s Support in the Broader EU Context

The talks also took place against the backdrop of strengthening India-EU relations. Spain has expressed support for the early conclusion of the India-EU trade agreement, viewing closer economic integration with India as vital for resilience in a time of global uncertainty. Counterterrorism cooperation and strategic dialogue are increasingly becoming part of India’s engagement with Europe as a whole, with Spain playing a constructive role in this process.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s emphasis on a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism found strong resonance during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, reinforcing the idea that selective or ambiguous responses only weaken the global fight against extremism. The shared experiences of both nations with terrorism added weight to the dialogue, underlining the need for consistent international cooperation against terror networks, their financing, and ideological backers. This clear and uncompromising stance also reflects a broader convergence rooted in democratic values, respect for international law, and the need for trusted partnerships in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment.

At the same time, the engagement highlighted the expanding depth of India–Spain relations beyond security concerns. Growing economic ties, defence collaboration such as the C-295 aircraft project, and cooperation in emerging sectors demonstrate a maturing strategic partnership. Cultural initiatives, people-to-people exchanges, and Spain’s supportive role within the European Union further strengthen this relationship, positioning India and Spain as like-minded partners working together for stability, resilience, and long-term cooperation on the global stage.

(Sources: Business Standard, Times of India, News On Air)