Symbolising the close and growing Indo-Spanish relations, King Juan Carlos of Spain and its President Jose Maria Aznar on Wednesday warmly received external affairs minister Jaswant Singh in Madrid. The President after exchanging warm greetings accepted an invitation to visit India at the earliest.
The King, who received Singh at his Zarzeula Palace, enquired with the external affairs minister about his long trip from India to Madrid.
The external affairs minister was accompanied by the Indian ambassador to Spain Dilip Lahiri at the meetings.
Singh is here to attend the Indo-EU troika ministerial meeting on Thursday where they would discuss progress in the campaign against terrorism besides regional and international issues of common concern. The troika meeting will be a preparatory process for the action to be taken prior to the third Indo-EU summit which would be held in Copenhagen during the second half of this year under Danish presidency.
Singh will also hold bilateral discussions with his Spanish counterpart Josep Pique on Thursday.
The India-EU political dialogue at ministerial level, instituted in 1983 has so far had 13 rounds and brought the two sides close politically and economically.
The last round was held in Stockholm in April last year.
Earlier during the day, the external affairs minister visited the historic Prado museum, which has one of the world's largest collection of paintings and sculptures.
Bureau Report