India, Slovakia Sign 11 Agreements, Upgrade Relations
PM Modi’s historic visit marks major boost to defence, technology, education and people-to-people cooperation
- India and Slovakia elevate bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Partnership
- Eleven agreements signed across defence, digital technology, education and research
- Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism to be established
- First-ever ICCR Chair in Artificial Intelligence announced in Slovakia
GG News Bureau
Bratislava, 15th June: India and Slovakia on Sunday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership and signed 11 agreements and memorandums of understanding across key sectors, including defence, digital technologies, labour mobility, education, research and healthcare, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the Central European nation.
The agreements were announced following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava.
The two countries also announced the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and a new Consular Dialogue mechanism to strengthen cooperation on security and people-to-people exchanges.
Defence, Technology in Focus
Among the major outcomes was a Letter of Intent aimed at promoting cooperation in the defence sector, paving the way for joint development, joint production and enhanced collaboration between defence industries of both countries.
India and Slovakia also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Technologies, reflecting the growing importance of digital transformation and innovation in bilateral relations.
Another key agreement focuses on Quantum Communication and Critical Infrastructure Protection, strengthening cooperation in emerging and strategic technologies.
Labour Mobility and Education Boost
The two countries signed an MoU on Labour Migration to facilitate greater mobility of professionals and skilled workers.
In the education sector, both sides concluded an MoU on Higher Education and Research, while the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Slovak Technical University signed an agreement on student exchange programmes, scholarships and research collaboration.
A landmark announcement was the establishment of the first-ever Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair in Artificial Intelligence at the Technical University of Kosice, reflecting growing cooperation in advanced technologies and academic exchanges.
Cultural and Scientific Cooperation
India and Slovakia also signed an MoU on Audio-Visual Creation to strengthen collaboration in the creative industries.
Scientific cooperation received a boost through an agreement between the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS).
The National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune, under the Ministry of Ayush, also entered into an agreement with Slovak Health Spa Piestany to expand cooperation in wellness and traditional healthcare.
In addition, tourism associations from both countries signed a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting travel and tourism exchanges.
New Phase in Bilateral Relations
The elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Partnership marks the most significant upgrade in India-Slovakia relations since Slovakia’s independence in 1993.
Officials said the agreements are expected to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic, technological and cultural sectors while creating new opportunities for businesses, researchers, students and professionals in both countries.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia and is being viewed as a major step in expanding India’s engagement with Central Europe and the European Union.
