New Delhi: The Union minister of state for external affairs, Pabitra Margherita, met Spanish foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, in Madrid, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral relations as India joined the Ibero-American conference as an associate observer. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the grouping’s 30th summit, comes amid New Delhi’s efforts to expand diplomatic, economic and cultural engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Margherita welcomed India’s inclusion in the grouping following his meeting with Albares on Friday.
Margherita welcomed India’s inclusion following his meeting with Albares on Friday. “Delighted to be welcomed by foreign minister of Spain Jose Manuel Albares, as India joins the Ibero-American conference as Associate Observer. Look forward to strengthening our ties with the Ibero-American community,” he wrote on X.
The Ibero-American conference comprises 22 member countries, including 19 from Latin America and three European nations — Spain, Portugal and Andorra. Its observer arrangements provide countries and international organizations outside the grouping with opportunities for dialogue and cooperation without granting full membership rights.
India, Turkiye and Angola were formally admitted as associate observers, while the association of Caribbean states joined as a consultative observer, according to the Spanish government’s announcement.
The new admissions expand the grouping’s engagement with countries across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, strengthening its international outreach.
Margherita also addressed the ministerial dialogue with associate and Consultative observers hosted by Albares on Wednesday, conveying India’s appreciation for the support extended by participating countries.
His diplomatic engagements continued on Thursday with separate meetings involving Colombia’s foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, and Bolivia’s foreign minister Hector Francisco Huanca.
Discussions with Colombia focused on trade, education, healthcare, culture and cooperation in multilateral forums. The meeting with Bolivia covered bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest, according to the Indian embassy in Spain.
Margherita also met Noemi Espinoza Madrid, secretary general of the association of Caribbean states, discussing India’s engagement with the Global South, particularly the Greater Caribbean region.
Earlier, on Wednesday, he held talks with Spain’s secretary of state for foreign and global affairs, Diego Martinez Belio. Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral ties, with Margherita thanking Madrid for supporting India’s admission to the conference.
Economic engagement featured during meetings with representatives of Spain’s textile and tourism industries. Discussions covered textile trade, sourcing, manufacturing, sustainable production, investment and tourism, without any new agreements being announced.
The minister also interacted with the Indian community in Madrid alongside minister of state for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, acknowledging its contribution to cultural exchanges and people-to-people relations.
The visit coincides with the India-Spain dual year of culture, tourism and artificial intelligence, which the Ministry of External Affairs has identified as an important component of bilateral cooperation.
India’s observer status provides an additional institutional platform for engagement with Latin American and Caribbean countries, complementing its expanding economic, technological and diplomatic partnership with Spain.