New Delhi, February 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held separate meetings with the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, on Wednesday, stating that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement has ushered in a golden era in India-Europe relations.
Modi said he had a productive meeting with President Sánchez, discussing ways to strengthen the India-Spain friendship, particularly in areas such as defense, security, and technology.
"Our nations are designating 2026 as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism, and AI. This will further strengthen people-to-people connections. It is also encouraging to see a large delegation of universities visiting India. This will also contribute significantly to connecting our people."
"The historic FTA with the EU will have a very positive impact on the economic partnership with Spain and provide new opportunities for the people of our nations," Modi said in a post on X.
India and the European Union signed a landmark free trade agreement on January 27, which is being hailed as the "mother of all deals," to create a market of 2 billion people.
President Sánchez stated that, alongside Prime Minister Modi, he noted the excellent state of relations between Spain and India, which the two leaders will continue to strengthen.
"I congratulated him on the organization of the Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence. We share the need to continue taking steps towards an AI that puts people at the centre," Sánchez said in a post on X in Spanish.
During his "extensive discussions" with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Modi thanked him for his personal support to the India-EU FTA, which "usher in a golden era" in India-Europe relations.
"India and Finland aim to double trade, thus giving a strong boost to economic linkages. We also talked about enhancing cooperation in futuristic technologies like 6G, innovation, clean energy, biofuels, circular economy, and more," Modi said in another post on X.
Sánchez and Orpo are here to attend the ongoing India AI Impact Expo 2026, which brings together global technology firms, startups, academia, and research institutions, central and state governments, and international partners.
PM Modi inaugurated the expo on Monday, which features more than 600 high-potential startups and 13 country pavilions showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem.
Over 20 heads of state, 60 ministers, and 500 global artificial intelligence (AI) leaders are attending the summit.
