Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is today, in the 21st century, the centre of gravity of international relations. Home to 60% of the world population, it generates 45% of global GDP and is spearheading innovation and technologies that will shape the future of our societies. The region’s buoyant economy and its pivotal role in value chains—the result of its massive population and productivity derived from technological development—is driving global economic growth. Accounting for almost two thirds of global output of critical minerals and metals, the region is also crucial to the green and digital transitions. Lastly, the continent of Asia boasts great cultural, economic and political diversity, and is an essential partner in global foreign policy.

Spain’s Strategy for Asia-Pacific 2026-2029

Spain’s Strategy for Asia-Pacific 2026-2029, approved by the Council of Ministers on 9 December 2025, is the road map for strengthening relations and increasing Spain’s presence and profile in the region.

The Strategy seeks to bolster political relations through continuous, high-level dialogue; it pursues shared economic prosperity, by maximizing opportunities linked to the energy transition and digital transformation and attracting Asian investments offering added value; it strengthens the EU’s strategic reach in Asia-Pacific, supporting trade negotiations and initiatives such as Global Gateway; it fortifies the commitment to multilateralism in the face of global challenges in areas such as development, fair taxation, the climate agenda and gender equality; it contributes to peace and security; and it seeks to expand scientific, technological, educational and cultural cooperation, promoting the Spanish language and fostering ties between our societies through institutions such as Casa Asia and the Council Foundations, which organize bilateral forums and visitor programmes, among other initiatives.

The Strategy proposes the creation of monitoring mechanisms such as the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Asia-Pacific Affairs and the Spain-India Advisory Council.

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/PublicacionesOficiales/Estrategia-Asia-Pacifico_2026-2029.pdf

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/ServiciosAlCiudadano/PublicacionesOficiales/Spain-s-Strategy-for-Asia-Pacific_2026-2029.pdf

Bilateral relations with Asia-Pacific by sub-region

East Asia. Nurturing relations with East Asia is one of the pillars of Spain’s foreign policy, which prioritizes political dialogue, greater exchanges of trade and investment (which are already growing), air connectivity, scientific and technological cooperation, and promotion of the Spanish language and culture, with new Instituto Cervantes centres in Shanghai and Seoul. The celebration in 2025 of the 20th anniversary of Spain’s comprehensive strategic partnership with China was accompanied by the launch of an action plan and an unprecedented intensification of high-level exchanges. Spain’s strategic partnerships with Japan and South Korea were strengthened by the action plans adopted in 2018 and 2021, which were focused on areas such as security and defence and high-value industrial, technological and scientific collaboration.

South Asia. Spain continues to deepen its relations with this populous region of great cultural heritage, whose geopolitical profile is growing. The creation of the new Deputy Directorate -General for South Asia within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and the opening of a Consulate General in Bengaluru (India) strengthen Spain’s diplomatic capacity in this sub-region. The Spain-India Dual Year 2026, focused on tourism, culture, artificial intelligence, strategic collaborations in science and innovation, and closer dialogue between cultures and societies, pursues greater economic and industrial exchanges with this multidimensional partner. Spain and Pakistan have also strengthened their political and trade relations, at both the bilateral and European levels. Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives are partners with which Spain shares democratic values and the defence of multilateralism and the Charter of the United Nations. In Afghanistan, Spain maintains its commitment to human rights and the equality of women and girls.

Central Asia. Spain’s foreign policy seeks to move toward a structured and ambitious framework of economic, cultural and technological dialogue and cooperation with this sub-region, which is strategic to Euro-Asian connectivity and energy security. In Kazakhstan, the presence of Spanish companies is accompanied by cultural, sports and public diplomacy initiatives. Uzbekistan is a partner with potential in the areas of connectivity, energy and tourism. Spain is also involved in European projects to strengthen security in the countries of Central Asia.

Southeast Asia and Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Spain seeks to expand its reach in this sub-region, with which it shares the defence of multilateralism and global public goods, and which, in addition to its large population, has high rates of economic growth and great capacity to attract investment. Security and defence relations have already been strengthened, as have trade and investment exchanges and tourist flows. Accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia will boost cooperation in multiple areas, including security, maritime affairs, sustainable fisheries and the fight against climate change, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Spain holds regular political consultations with the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The Philippines is also a Spanish Cooperation partner and an ideal platform for development projects and initiatives in the region. In the case of Viet Nam, Spain is working to elevate the current strategic partnership to a higher level.

South Pacific. Spain, which shares historical ties with the region, maintains diplomatic relations with all States, close cooperation with Australia in the areas of energy and defence, and a strategic partnership with New Zealand based on common values and a firm commitment to multilateralism. Spain is a dialogue partner of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), sharing common goals with respect to climate change, oceans, renewable energy and sustainable tourism.

EU Indo-Pacific Strategy

Spain’s foreign policy contributes to the European Union’s reach in Asia-Pacific. Moreover, its approach is aligned with the principles underpinning the 2021 EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

As a Member State of the European Union, Spain participates in and benefits from the EU’s partnership and dialogue with the Indo-Pacific. But Spain does not merely support EU frameworks for stable, strategic and predictable relations, it also develops these frameworks further on the basis of priorities shared with partners in the region. In particular, Spain supports the expansion of strategic partnerships, the green and digital agendas, and the network of free trade agreements with Asia-Pacific countries, which generate huge opportunities for Asian and European economies. Spain is an active member of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and champions the inclusion of Asian partners in Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and development programme.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, during the presentation of Spain’s Strategy for Asia-Pacific 2026-2029 on 20 February 2026.

Family photo during the presentation of Spain’s Strategy for Asia-Pacific 2026-2029, in Casa Asia, Barcelona, on 20 February 2026.