“Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has handed over Spain’s Declaration of Accession to India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi earlier this week, marking Spain’s formal entry into the India-led framework. Launched by India in 2019 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the IPOI endorses seven pillars of cooperation, ranging from maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).”
“India now counts more than 25 partners who trust its leadership in the region. As an Atlantic naval power, Spain brings expertise that will bolster operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India’s strategic backyard. This could include enhanced anti-piracy patrols with the Indian Navy, from the Andamans to Africa’s coast, which have already reduced piracy incidents by around 80% and securing vital chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb.”
See also: Spain joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, elevates ties with India to strategic level
“The two sides also highlighted strong economic and defence cooperation, citing the Airbus–Tata joint venture to manufacture C-295 aircraft in India as a model partnership.”
“Jaishankar said the first made-in-India Airbus aircraft is expected to roll out from the Gujarat facility before September 2026, ahead of schedule.”