Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares highlighted India’s growing interest in Europe’s defence industry, particularly Spain’s. He suggested replicating the Airbus-Tata partnership model to strengthen cooperation. Albares also confirmed intense EU discussions on U.S. President Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” seeking a unified European stance.
Spain is positioning itself as a key partner for India in defence and strategic cooperation, with Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares underscoring the potential to replicate the successful Airbus-Tata collaboration as a model for future ventures. Speaking on 21 January 2026, Albares emphasized that India has shown “very concrete interest” in Europe’s defence industry, particularly Spain’s, signaling opportunities for joint projects in aerospace, naval, and advanced defence technologies.
Key highlights from Albares’ remarks:
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Airbus-Tata Model: The partnership between Airbus and Tata in aerospace manufacturing is seen as a blueprint for future India-Spain collaborations, combining European technology with Indian industrial capacity.
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India’s Defence Interest: Albares noted India’s growing appetite for European defence solutions, reflecting New Delhi’s broader push to diversify suppliers and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing under its “Make in India” initiative.
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EU Coordination: He confirmed that Spain and its European partners are actively discussing how to consolidate a common position on U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, a new multilateral framework aimed at conflict resolution.
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Intense Exchanges: Albares described ongoing talks within the EU as “intense,” highlighting the need for unity in responding to Washington’s initiative while balancing Europe’s strategic autonomy.
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Strategic Outlook: Spain is also backing the finalization of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which would complement defence cooperation by expanding economic and industrial ties.
The remarks come ahead of Spanish President Pedro Sánchez’s planned visit to India, which is expected to further cement bilateral ties. Analysts view Spain’s outreach as part of a broader European effort to deepen engagement with India, both as a reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific and as a major defence market.
For India, the prospect of replicating the Airbus-Tata model with Spanish firms could accelerate technology transfer, boost domestic manufacturing, and diversify defence partnerships beyond traditional suppliers. Meanwhile, Europe’s deliberations on the “Board of Peace” underscore the continent’s balancing act between supporting U.S. initiatives and asserting its own strategic priorities.
Sources: NewKerala, Devdiscourse, MSN News
