This article covers cultural relations between India and Spain, higher education links, audiovisual cooperation, tourism and people-to-people contacts, and the Indian diaspora in Spain. It is based on the MEA brief of July 2026, the bilateral brief published by India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Cultural agreements

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, cultural exchange is an important component of India-Spain relations. During President Sánchez's visit to India in 2024, an agreement on a Cultural Exchange Programme between India and Spain was signed for the period 2024-2028.

Higher education

In July 2024, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in higher education.

A Conference of Vice-Chancellors of Indian universities and 34 Rectors of Spanish universities was held in New Delhi on 19 February 2026.

Casa de la India and city twinning

Casa de la India was established in Valladolid, Spain, on 17 March 2003 as a cultural foundation. Its founding entities are the Government of India, Valladolid City Council and the University of Valladolid. The brief states that it promotes people-to-people contact by organising cultural activities, academic events and exchanges.

The Twinning of Cities agreement between Ahmedabad and Valladolid, originally signed in 2017, was renewed and expanded in September 2025.

Cultural policy

The Minister of Culture and Minister of Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, led the Indian delegation at the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT) 2025, convened by UNESCO in Barcelona from 29 September to 1 October 2025.

Performances and festivals

As part of India-Spain Year 2026, three Indian cultural groups performed at festivals in Spain:

  • the instrumental ensemble led by Pandit Shubhendra Rao and the Bharatanatyam troupe led by Ms. Rama Vaidyanathan paid homage to Pandit Ravi Shankar at the International Festival of Music and Dance of Granada;
  • Bharatanatyam exponent Ms. Malavika Sarukkai performed at Veranos de la Villa in Madrid.

The 3rd edition of Olé India was held in Madrid on 7 March 2026, with over 250 performers and more than 1500 attendees.

International Day of Yoga

For the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) in 2026, a total of 33 events were organised across Spain and Andorra. They covered all 17 Autonomous Communities of Spain, the two Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and the Principality of Andorra.

The brief states that this was the first time IDY celebrations reached every Autonomous Community and Autonomous City of Spain, and describes it as the most extensive observance of the day in Spain to date. In Madrid, the celebrations were held at the Plaza de Oriente, in front of the Royal Palace.

Film and audiovisual cooperation

The brief describes relations in the audiovisual sector as growing. The Joint Commission on Audiovisual Cooperation between the two countries held its first meeting virtually in April 2025.

India took part with a Country Stand at the Iberseries & Platino Industria audiovisual fair in Madrid from 30 September to 3 October, together with the 3rd Edition of the India-Spain Producers' Meet.

MoUs were signed between the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) and the Spanish film schools ECAM and ESCAC.

Mudras, which the brief describes as the first documentary jointly produced by Indian and Spanish filmmakers, was screened in New Delhi on 18 February 2026 and in Malaga on 8 March 2026.

Tourism

According to the brief, bilateral travel reached record levels in 2024, with 225,000 Indian visitors to Spain and over 80,000 Spanish tourists travelling to India. Tourism is one of the three themes of the Dual Year being celebrated in 2026.

The Indian diaspora in Spain

The Indian diaspora in Spain numbers around 75,000, as of the brief. It is concentrated in Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid and the Canary Islands.