NEW DELHI: India and Slovakia on Monday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership, marking a major milestone during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the Slovak Republic – the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia’s independence in 1993.
Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the historic Bratislava Castle, where he held both one-on-one and delegation-level talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and agreed on a roadmap to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological, and cultural sectors, according to an official statement.
The leaders described the elevation of ties as the beginning of a new chapter in India-Slovakia relations, built on shared values, mutual trust, and a long-standing friendship. They agreed that the Comprehensive Partnership would strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms while opening new avenues for collaboration at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
During the talks, the two sides discussed cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, space, civil nuclear energy, renewable energy, digital innovation, education, culture, and talent mobility. They also explored collaboration in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, supercomputing, semiconductors, start-ups, and advanced technologies.
The leaders acknowledged the growing strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region. They underlined the value of stronger India-Slovakia cooperation in promoting regional connectivity, open trade, freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and a rules-based international order.
On global issues, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and called for reforms of international governance institutions, including the UN Security Council (UNSC). India welcomed Slovakia’s continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UNSC, while Slovakia reiterated its constructive approach towards India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
The two leaders also exchanged views on terrorism and strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April 2025. Modi expressed appreciation for Slovakia’s solidarity and support following the attack. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
Defence and security cooperation emerged as a key area of focus during the discussions. The two sides agreed to encourage regular consultations between their defence authorities and explore opportunities in defence technologies, research and development, capacity building, and industrial cooperation. A Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation was exchanged during the visit.
India and Slovakia also agreed to strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity, critical information infrastructure protection, and preparedness against emerging quantum threats. A Memorandum of Cooperation signed in the field of critical infrastructure protection and post-quantum cryptography is expected to provide a framework for future collaboration.
Economic ties figured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders expressing satisfaction over the outcomes of the recent India-EU Summit. They welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and the adoption of the Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, noting that these developments would create new opportunities for trade, investment, and value chain diversification.
