Why in news -
- PM Narendra Modi visited Bratislava (Slovakia's capital) and met Slovak PM Robert Fico the first visit by an Indian PM to Slovakia since its independence in 1993.
Key outcome -
| Agreement | Significance |
|
01. MoU on Labour Migration |
Facilitates orderly, safe, and legal mobility of skilled professionals |
|
02. Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation |
Joint development, joint production in artillery and armoured systems; many Indian companies already signed pacts with Slovak defence companies |
|
03. MoU on Digital Technologies |
Digital cooperation framework |
|
04. MoU on Higher Education & Research |
Academic exchange, joint research |
|
05. MoU on Audio-Visual Creation |
Film and media cooperation |
|
06. First-ever ICCR Chair in AI |
Established at Technical University of Kosice — India's first ICCR Chair in Artificial Intelligence globally |
|
07. IIT Delhi Slovak Technical University Agreement |
Student exchange, scholarships, research collaboration |
|
08. Agreement on Scientific Cooperation |
Between INSA (Indian National Science Academy) and Slovak Academy of Sciences |
|
09. MoU on Quantum Communication & Critical Infrastructure Protection |
Cutting-edge technology cooperation |
|
10. National Institute of Naturopathy (Pune) and Slovak Health Spa Piestany |
Ayush/wellness cooperation |
|
11. Tourism cooperation |
Between tour operators' associations |
- Economic cooperation- Automobiles, railways, advanced manufacturing, and green technologies identified as key areas. Slovakia's well-developed industrial ecosystem , India's scale, innovation ecosystem, and technological capabilities complementary partnership.
- Defence - " India-Slovakia joint production in artillery and armoured systems. Many Indian companies have already signed pacts with Slovak defence companies history of defence industrial engagement.
- India-EU FTA - Committed to "work towards its early implementation so that industries, startups, and traders in both countries can derive maximum benefit from it."
- Energy - Agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector through diversification including nuclear energy and geothermal power. Particularly relevant amid the West Asia crisis and global energy crisis.
- Counter-terrorism - Unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms. Strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack (J&K, April 22, 2025) called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism. Established a joint working group on counter-terrorism and consular dialogue.
- Russia-Ukraine war - a diplomatic acknowledgement of the war in Slovakia's neighbourhood (ongoing for more than four years now).
- Migration - Welcomed MoU on Labour Migration. Working towards a Social Security Agreement for welfare protection of professionals in mobility.
♦ Expedite India-EU FTA implementation with Slovakia's support; operationalise ICCR AI Chair as model for tech-focused cultural diplomacy; develop defence industrial corridor with Slovak artillery/armoured systems expertise; leverage India-EU Mobility Framework for structured skilled migration; conclude Social Security Agreement for protection of Indian professionals in Slovakia and vice versa; expand energy cooperation to nuclear (Slovakia operates nuclear plants Bohunice, Mochovce) and geothermal.
