PM Modi’s historic Slovakia visit ushers in new era of strategic cooperation
India and Slovakia on Monday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s historic visit to the European nation — the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia gained independence in 1993.
During talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, both leaders agreed to significantly expand cooperation across defence, trade, technology, artificial intelligence, education, energy, counter-terrorism and labour mobility.
Key outcomes of the visit
- India and Slovakia upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Partnership.
- Slovakia reiterated support for India’s aspiration to become a permanent member of a reformed UN Security Council.
- Both countries signed 11 agreements covering defence, digital technologies, higher education, labour migration, healthcare, quantum communication and cultural cooperation.
- A Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation was signed to strengthen military and industrial collaboration.
- The two sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
- Cooperation will be expanded in cybersecurity, quantum technologies, AI, semiconductors and innovation.
- Defence, technology and AI in focus.
Defence emerged as a major pillar of the upgraded relationship, with both countries agreeing to deepen collaboration in defence technologies, research, industrial partnerships and military exchanges.
Technology cooperation also received a major push through agreements on digital technologies and quantum communication. Areas identified for future cooperation include artificial intelligence, semiconductors, 5G and 6G technologies, start-up ecosystems and advanced manufacturing.
In a significant academic initiative, the first-ever ICCR Chair in Artificial Intelligence will be established at the Technical University of Kosice.
Stronger economic and global cooperation
The two leaders also discussed boosting trade and investment, particularly in automotive manufacturing, electronics, railway technologies and industrial supply chains.
Slovakia reaffirmed support for India’s bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council and expressed a constructive approach toward India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Both countries called for reforms in global institutions to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities.
Expanding people-to-people ties
India and Slovakia signed agreements on labour migration, higher education and audio-visual cooperation while committing to enhance cultural exchanges, tourism and academic partnerships.
The two sides also agreed to establish a Consular Dialogue Mechanism and work toward an early Social Security Agreement to protect professionals working in each other’s countries.
Describing the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations, both leaders expressed confidence that the newly announced Comprehensive Partnership would open a new chapter of cooperation between India and Slovakia across strategic, economic and technological domains.
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