India and Spain have decided to accelerate talks aimed at making their digital payment systems interoperable, specifically linking India’s Unified Payments Interface with Spain’s Bizum platform, according to the Commerce Ministry. The nations also explored measures to ease investment processes, support professional movement, and encourage joint projects in Latin America by using Spain’s position as a bridge to Europe and the region. These topics arose during Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent trip to Spain. Officials confirmed plans to move forward with technical work on connecting the two payment networks. Both sides noted strong potential for cooperation in automobiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles, renewable energy, tourism, and infrastructure. While in Brussels, the minister raised concerns about Indian ship recycling facilities and suggested starting an India-EU discussion on skills, education, and talent flows. Talks also addressed an Investment Protection Agreement, a Geographical Indications deal, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, regulatory easing, farm product access, Basmati rice duties, and steel scrap. The minister met with leaders from KONE and Nokia to urge greater manufacturing, research, development, exports, and digital infrastructure spending in India.
