India and Slovakia on Monday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico unveiling a wide-ranging agenda covering defence, artificial intelligence, digital technology, labour mobility, energy and space cooperation.
The announcement came during Modi’s landmark visit to Bratislava, the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia became an independent nation in 1993.
Following bilateral talks, the two leaders outlined a roadmap aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation across emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, cybersecurity and global governance.
“This symbolises our shared trust, shared priorities and a shared future,” Modi said after the talks, describing the elevation of ties as a reflection of growing convergence between the two countries.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation, designed to boost collaboration in defence technology, research and development, industrial partnerships and capacity building. Both sides also agreed to expand consultations between their defence establishments and explore new opportunities for cooperation.
Technology emerged as another major pillar of the partnership. India and Slovakia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on digital technologies and agreed to cooperate on critical information infrastructure protection, cybercrime prevention and post-quantum cryptography. Modi also welcomed the establishment of an India Chair on Artificial Intelligence at a Slovak university to promote joint research and academic exchanges.
On mobility, the two countries signed an agreement on labour migration to facilitate the movement of skilled professionals and improve institutional cooperation. Both sides also committed to working towards an early Social Security Agreement to safeguard the interests of workers and professionals employed in each other’s countries.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with Slovakia reaffirming support for the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement. Bilateral trade crossed the $1 billion mark in 2024 and has continued to grow, while Indian companies have expanded investments in Slovakia’s automotive, engineering, information technology and energy sectors.
The leaders also identified opportunities in space cooperation, clean energy, resilient infrastructure, climate adaptation, water management and transport connectivity. They agreed to encourage joint ventures and technology transfers in the automotive and railway sectors and explore the possibility of direct air links.
On global issues, India and Slovakia reiterated support for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific and underscored the importance of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The visit marks a significant step in India’s efforts to deepen strategic engagement with Europe while strengthening Slovakia’s role as a key partner in Central Europe.
