PM Modi, Spain PM in Gujarat LIVE: Leaders vow to improve bilateral ties after inaugurating C-295 manufacturing hub in Vadodara

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sanchez and Spanish business delegation in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez says, “Climate emergency, fight against poverty and inequality require the effort and political will of all international actors. India’s influence and leadership are essential to confront these issues and so is Spain’s commitment and determination. So Prime Minister Modi, we look forward to continue advancing our great cooperation.” 

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez says, “India plays a prominent role not only in the Indo-Pacific but also in the wider geopolitical context. Spain maintains privileged relations with Latin America, historic ties in the Middle East, increased presence in Africa, and is a leading voice in the European Union. This geopolitical framework offers many opportunities for our countries to reach different regions and develop closer and more productive relations. India and Spain also share many goals, in particular, strengthening the multilateral order and preserving peace and democracy worldwide.”

During his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez says, “I congratulate you on your recent re-election as Prime Minister. It is an honour for me and also for the Spanish delegation to be in India. I am certain that this visit will strengthen our bilateral relations and will honour the weight and influence that both India and Spain have in the world, a voice and influence that multiplies when our countries work together. There is no doubt, my dear friend, that our cooperation will continue to grow across many other areas, and even more given the celebration of the Spain-India Year for Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence in 2026. Our countries complement each other.”

PM Modi says, “Our partnership is centuries old. Shared belief in values like democracy and rule of law binds us together. We have strong cooperation in many areas like economy, defence, pharma, IT, science and technology and we both emphasise on global peace, prosperity and cooperation. People-to-people contact provides a strong foundation for our relations.”

“Indian young talent is contributing to Spain’s green and digital transition goals. In view of the growing people-to-people relations, this year India opened a new Consulate in Barcelona, Spain. We welcome your decision to open a new Consulate of Spain in Bengaluru. I am confident that our talks today will contribute to making our partnership even more dynamic and multifaceted,” he said.

During his meeting with the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, PM Narendra Modi says, “This is your first visit to India. We all missed you at the G20 Summit in New Delhi last year. I am very happy that I am getting the opportunity to welcome you in India during the festival of Deepawali and I am welcoming you in the same Vadodara which made me a Member of Parliament for the first time and later I became the Prime Minister... Gujarat is considered the land of festivals and celebrations. Deepawali is a symbol of light, enthusiasm, joy, energy and new beginnings. Similarly, your visit has infused new energy and enthusiasm in our relations.”

India and Spain’s PM meet at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara to hold bilateral talks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez at Vadodara’s Laxmi Vilas Palace.

PM Narendra Modi says, “I have heard that yoga is also very popular in Spain. Spain’s football is also very much liked in India. Yesterday, the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona was also discussed in India. Barcelona’s spectacular victory was also discussed in India and I can say with a guarantee that like Spain there was a verbal spat between fans of both clubs in India as well.”

PM Narendra Modi says, “All of you have witnessed unprecedented growth and transformation in India’s aviation sector in the last decade. We are already working to make India an aviation hub. This ecosystem will pave the way for Made in India civil aircraft in the future. Various Indian airlines have placed orders for 1200 new aircraft... this factory is going to play a major role in the design and manufacturing of civil aircraft to meet the future needs of India and the world.”

PM Narendra Modi says, “Today the defence manufacturing ecosystem in India is touching new heights. If we had not taken concrete steps 10 years ago, it would have been impossible to reach this level today. At that time, no one could even imagine that there could be such large-scale defence manufacturing in India. But we decided to walk on the new path and set a new goal for ourselves. And today the result is before us. We expanded private sector participation in defence manufacturing, made the public sector efficient, converted the Ordinance Factories into seven big companies, strengthened DRDO and HAL and built two big defence corridors in U.P. and Tamil Nadu. Many such decisions filled the defence sector with new energy.”

PM Narendra Modi says, “Recently, we lost the country’s great son Ratan Tata ji. If he had been among us today, he would have been happy, but wherever his soul is, he would be happy. This C-295 aircraft factory reflects the new work culture of New India.”

“When I was the Gujarat CM, it was decided to set up a factory in Vadodara to build train coaches. The factory was also prepared for production within a record time. Today, we are exporting the metro coaches manufactured in that factory to other countries. I am confident that in the future, the aircraft made in this factory will also be exported to other countries,” he says.

On the inauguration of Tata Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft, PM Narendra Modi says, “This is my friend Pedro Sanchez’s first visit to India. From today, we are giving a new direction to India and Spain’s partnership. We are inaugurating the production factory of C-295 aircraft. This factory will strengthen India-Spain relations as well as ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ mission.“

Spanish PM Sanchez says, In the late 1960s, the talented Paco deLucia and the great Indian musician Ravi Shankar brought our two countries closer through music. Together they managed to fuse Flamengo and Indian classical music, Spanish guitar, with the spirituality of the sitar. Perhaps they did not know it then, but they were building a bridge between cultures that would open the way to the future. A future that has the face of a project like this. This plant will be a symbol of industrial excellence, an engine of growth and a testament to the close and growing friendship.

Spain’s PM said, “So if Indian companies want to grow, believe me, they can trust Spain. In 2026, the first C295 manufactured in India will be produced by this plant in Vadodara. This aircraft is a symbol of the Spanish and European aeronautical industry. In addition to contributing to modernising India’s defence capabilities, it will also drive technological development, particularly for the state of Gujarat, India’s leading manufacturing hub. Thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created here and a new generation of highly qualified engineers and technicians will be trained...I come from a country where 99% of companies are macro small and medium enterprises. They play a very valuable role in promoting social and territorial cohesion.”

During the inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex, Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez says, “Today we are not only officially inaugurating a cutting-edge industrial facility. Today we’re also witnessing how an extraordinary project between two emblematic companies becomes a reality.”

“Prime Minister Modi, this is another triumph of your vision. Your vision is to turn India into an industrial powerhouse and a magnet for investment and business. This partnership between Airbus and Tata will contribute to the progress of the Indian aerospace industry and will open new doors for the arrival of other European companies. This project brings together the best of two worlds,” he said.

“Tata is probably the best exponent of Indian industrial strength. Its products and services are present in virtually every country on the planet. Tata is a giant among giants. As for Airbus, it embodies the very essence of a united Europe. Committed to technological innovation and the creation of jobs and prosperity. For my country, for Spain, being an integral part of the Airbus consortium, defending the values it represents. Values on which the very idea of Europe is based on cooperation, modernity and progress. After years of presence in India, where it has grown and boosted civil aviation, Airbus opened a new chapter in India’s defence and space industry. This project strengthens our industrial ties while underlying our country’s deep commitment as a reliable and strategic partner. And it shows as well the capabilities of the Spanish defence industry. With its world-class expertise and its well-earned international reputation. Spain, like India, is promoting an ambitious roadmap to modernise its productive fabric.”

While inaugurating the TATA Aircraft Complex, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran says, “...I will fail in my duty if I forget to mention that this project was originally conceived more than a decade ago, in 2012, by the then Tata Sons Chairman, Ratan Tata Ji, who led the whole concept to build a relationship with Airbus and created this partnership with Airbus and laid the foundation stone for this opportunity. So I would like to remember him for his visionary leadership in this very path-breaking initiative. It is a historic moment not only for the Tata Group but also for India...”

During the inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran says, “The final aircraft assembly complex for the first aircraft to be delivered is being set up here. I must commit to our Prime Minister that exactly two years from now we will deliver the first indigenously manufactured aircraft and we will request and we’ll work with your office to block the date so that you can come and inaugurate the facility and receive the first product...The first 200 engineers from Tata Group are already in Spain going through the training that is required and we have worked with 40 SME companies and we will be adding more companies to build the entire localisation that is required for the product.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez, jointly inaugurate the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft at TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara.

56 aircraft are there under the C-295 programme, of which 16 are being delivered directly by Airbus from Spain and the remaining 40 are to be made in India. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd is responsible for making these 40 aircraft in India.

PM Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez hold a mega roadshow in Vadodara. The two leaders will jointly inaugurate the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) facility shortly.

- PTI

PM Narendra Modi, his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez hold roadshow in Gujarat’s Vadodara city.

- PTI

PM Modi and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, will inaugurate the Tata aircraft complex in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Monday (October 28, 2024) for manufacturing C-295 aircraft by Tata Advanced Systems. 

In a statement on Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said this will be the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.