**Modi and Sanchez Launch India's First Private Military Aircraft Plant in Gujarat**

In a significant move to elevate India's defence and aerospace capabilities, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the nation's first private military aircraft plant. This ceremony marked a historic milestone in Vadodara, situated in Modi's home state of Gujarat. The event is seen as a pivotal moment for boosting local defence manufacturing.

Prime Minister Sanchez began his visit to India with a flower-adorned open-top parade alongside Modi, an event that underscored Spain's intent to enhance its investment footprint in India, the world's fifth-largest economy. Amidst a crowd waving banners and cheering, the leaders ventured to the new aircraft factory, established through a partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus.

Sanchez's arrival is noteworthy, marking the first visit by a Spanish premier to India in 18 years. This visit follows Modi's 2017 trip to Spain and their meetings at the G20 summits in 2018 and 2021. The collaboration has its roots in a 2021 agreement where India’s Ministry of Defence finalized a $2.5 billion deal with Airbus Defence and Space. The deal stipulates the supply of 56 C-295 cargo and troop-carrying aircraft, with 16 to be assembled in Seville, Spain, and the remaining 40 to be built in India.

The Vadodara plant aims to deliver India's first "Made in India" C-295 military transport aircraft by 2026. Emphasizing the importance of this development, Modi stated that the facility would not only fortify India-Spain relations but also advance India's "Make in India and Made for the World" initiative, further entrenching India’s role as a reliable partner in global aerospace manufacturing.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sanchez highlighted that the project serves as a testament to Spain's commitment as a strategic and dependable ally. It showcases the advanced capabilities of the Spanish defence industry. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of the Tata Group, hailed the occasion as a historic day for India’s defence sector, attributing the inception of the idea to the late Ratan Tata, a legendary figure in Indian business.

Spain ranks as the 16th-largest foreign investor in India, with over 280 Spanish companies engaged in various industries such as construction, pharmaceuticals, energy, and railways. Bilateral trade between the two nations has reached $9.9 billion in 2023, with India exporting $7.17 billion and importing $2.74 billion.

Sanchez's itinerary includes a visit to Mumbai, India's financial hub and the heart of the Bollywood film industry, where he will meet with trade and industry leaders. Additionally, plans are set for him to visit film studios, fostering collaboration between Indian and Spanish entertainment industries.