On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez participated in a roadshow in Vadodara, Gujarat, traveling in an open jeep and greeting onlookers along the route. Both leaders waved to the crowds gathered along the 2.5-kilometer stretch from the airport to the Tata aircraft complex.
As they made their way to the Tata Advanced Systems facility, Modi and Sanchez were welcomed with performances by various artists, highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage.
The two leaders also jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex, which will manufacture C-295 aircraft—marking the first private sector final assembly line for military aircraft in India.
Following the inauguration, Modi and Sanchez are scheduled to visit the iconic Laxmi Vilas Palace, the former residence of the Baroda royal family, where they will hold a bilateral lunch meeting, according to officials from PTI.
PM Narendra Modi with Spanish Counterpart Sanchez at the Inauguration of Tata Aircraft Complex at Vadodara | Swarajya
‘NEW DIRECTION TO INDIA, SPAIN PARTNERSHIP’: PM Modi
At the event, Prime Minister Modi stated, “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 the ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ mission.”
In memory of Ratan Tata, the former chairperson of the TATA Group, who passed away on October 9 of this year, PM Modi stated, “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 Chief Minister, 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 added.
Pedro Sanchez also addressed the event, stating that, “Today we are not only officially inaugurating a cutting-edge industrial facility, but 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. Tata is probably the best exponent of Indian industrial strength,” he 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 modernizing India’s defence capabilities, it will also drive technological development, particularly for the state of Gujarat, India’s leading manufacturing hub,” the Spanish PM said.
“India is pleased to welcome Mr. Pedro Sanchez, President of the Government of Spain. Here are some images from Vadodara,” a rough translation of PM Modi's post into Spanish was suggested.
Sanchez referenced the Prime Minister's post, stating, “Thank you very much, dear Narendra Modi, for your warm welcome and the hospitality of the people of Vadodara. It is an honour to make this first official visit to strengthen the excellent relations between our countries. And to do so on such an important date as Diwali. Congratulations.”
Spanish Prime Minister's Trip to India
Sanchez arrived in Vadodara in the early hours of Monday, with his flight landing at the Vadodara airport around 1:30 a.m. This marks his first official visit to India. He is set to travel to Mumbai on Tuesday before heading back to Spain.
In preparation for Sanchez’s high-profile visit, police personnel have been deployed throughout Vadodara and at his hotel.
The Vadodara city police conducted ground rehearsals for the roadshow, utilizing 70 vehicles along the 10-kilometer route from the Tata facility to Laxmi Vilas Palace.
Additionally, the city traffic police have issued a directive to divert certain routes on Monday due to the movement of VVIPs.
Proposed Itinerary
The TATA Aircraft Complex was officially opened shortly after the two leaders wrapped up their roadshow in Vadodara.
Following a visit to the Laxmi Vilas Palace, Modi will head to Amreli, where he is scheduled to inaugurate the Bharat Mata Sarovar at Dudhala around 2:45 PM. At approximately 3 PM, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several development projects worth over ₹4,800 crores in Lathi, Amreli, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Tata Aircraft Facility
As part of the agreement, a total of 40 aircraft will be constructed at the Vadodara facility, while aviation giant Airbus will supply 16 aircraft directly. Tata Advanced Systems is tasked with producing these 40 aircraft in India, marking this facility as the first private sector final assembly line (FAL) for military aircraft in the country, according to the release.
The project will encompass the complete development of an ecosystem that includes manufacturing, assembly, testing, qualification, delivery, and maintenance throughout the entire aircraft life cycle.
In addition to Tata, prominent defense public sector units such as Bharat Electronics and Bharat Dynamics, along with private micro, small, and medium enterprises, will play a role in this initiative.
Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vadodara final assembly line in October 2022.
The “Bharat Mata” Sarovar project was created through a collaboration between the state government and the Dholakia Foundation under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
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