Spain Ambassador meets former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, discusses state's development across key sectors

ANI April 19, 2025 388 views

Spain’s Ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, met former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to discuss the state’s growth in tourism, sports, and infrastructure. Patnaik invited the ambassador to explore Odisha’s natural and cultural heritage. This follows Spain’s recent AI-focused meetings with Indian officials and the 2026 India-Spain cultural year announcement. Both nations aim to deepen ties in technology and tourism.

"Pleasure meeting Mr. Juan Antonio March Pujol... Encouraged him to explore Odisha’s treasure-trove of natural beauty and heritage." – Naveen Patnaik
Bhubaneshwar, April 19: Spain's Ambassador to India, Juan Antonio March Pujol, met former Odisha Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneshwar on Friday.

Key Points

1

Spain Ambassador discusses Odisha’s progress in tourism and sports

2

Both nations strengthen cultural ties for 2026 India-Spain Year

3

AI collaboration explored in recent diplomatic meetings

4

Patnaik highlights state’s healthcare and education achievements

The two discussed the state's achievements in key sectors, including tourism, sports, Health, education, and infrastructure development.

Taking to social media platform X, Patnaik expressed gratitude for the ambassador's visit and encouraged him to explore the state's natural beauty and heritage.

"Pleasure meeting Mr. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain. Thank him for the courtesy visit and appreciation of Odisha's achievements in various sectors like sports, tourism, healthcare, education and infrastructure development. Encouraged him to explore Odisha's treasure-trove of natural beauty and heritage," Patnaik wrote.

https://x.com/Naveen_Odisha/status/1913285244238594330

Earlier this month, Spain Ambassador to India met with Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, to explore potential collaborations in the field of AI.

Last October, the President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, visited India and agreed with Prime Minister Modi to make 2026 the Year of India and Spain in Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Both countries commit to hold during the year, events to foster positive use of AI and will work for the practical implementation of new advances in the field of AI in the productive economy, MEA stated.

To mark the importance of this initiative, both leaders directed the concerned stakeholders to celebrate the year in the respective countries in the most befitting manner, MEA stated.

Last month, Spain Ambassador Pujol participated in the Sahitya Akademi's Festival of Letters 2025, held in New Delhi.

"A celebration of India's literary heritage and an opportunity to deepen Indo-Spanish cultural relations," he wrote on X after participating in the event.

Reader Comments

P
Priya M.
Wonderful to see Odisha getting international recognition! Our state has so much to offer in terms of culture and development. Hope this leads to more Spanish tourists visiting Puri and Konark 🎉
R
Rajesh K.
While I appreciate the diplomatic efforts, I wish there was more focus on concrete investment plans rather than just appreciation. Odisha needs more foreign direct investment in manufacturing.
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Ananya S.
The cultural exchange between India and Spain sounds exciting! Can't wait to see Spanish flamenco performances in Bhubaneswar and Odissi dancers in Madrid 😊
S
Suresh P.
Good to see former CM Patnaik still actively promoting Odisha's interests even after leaving office. His experience in governance must be valuable for such diplomatic engagements.
M
Meera D.
The AI collaboration part is most interesting! Spain has strong tech universities - hope our Odisha students get exchange opportunities. The 2026 cultural year can't come soon enough!

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