VOI World/ Desk
India and Slovakia upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership during Indian PM Modi’s landmark visit to Bratislava, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Central European nation since its independence in 1993.
The PM Modi Slovakia visit saw both countries agree to deepen cooperation across sectors including defence, security, artificial intelligence, space technology, civil nuclear energy and labour mobility. Following talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the two sides announced more than a dozen outcomes aimed at expanding bilateral engagement.
A key outcome of the visit was an agreement to strengthen defence cooperation through joint development, co-production and industrial collaboration. The two leaders also discussed opportunities arising from the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, with a focus on boosting trade, investment and innovation partnerships.
India and Slovakia additionally signed a memorandum on labour migration and agreed to establish a joint working group on counterterrorism. The discussions reflected growing convergence between the two countries on security, economic and technological issues.
The PM Modi Slovakia visit also focused on global governance reforms. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and called for comprehensive reforms of international institutions, particularly the United Nations and the UN Security Council. Slovakia reiterated its support for India’s long-standing bid for permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UNSC.
Speaking after the meeting, PM Modi stressed that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means, noting that both countries shared a commitment to a rules-based international order.
Trade between India and Slovakia has been steadily growing, crossing the $1 billion mark in recent years. Bilateral commerce reached approximately $1.8 billion last year, driven largely by Indian exports. Defence cooperation has also expanded, with companies from both countries increasing investments and manufacturing partnerships.
The visit forms part of PM Modi’s wider Europe tour and signals India’s efforts to strengthen ties with emerging partners across Central and Eastern Europe.
