India and Slovakia elevated their bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership, signing 11 agreements to deepen cooperation in migration, digital technology, and defense. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Robert Fico met in Bratislava to discuss enhanced collaboration.
The elevation of ties and signing of multiple agreements signal a deepening strategic relationship between India and Slovakia, potentially boosting economic engagement, defense cooperation, and collaboration on emerging technologies.
India and Slovakia elevated their bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership on Monday, signing 11 agreements to deepen cooperation across various sectors including migration, digital technology, and defense. The decision followed talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico in Bratislava.
Modi, on a visit to Europe, stated that the comprehensive partnership symbolizes shared beliefs, priorities, and a shared future, aiming to elevate relations to a new level and explore new avenues for cooperation. Discussions also focused on enhancing collaboration in the energy sector, with an emphasis on energy security and sustainability through diversification, including nuclear and geothermal power.
Both leaders agreed to prioritize the earliest implementation of the India-European Union free trade agreement, which is expected to significantly boost bilateral economic engagement. Fico hailed the FTA as one of the most ambitious trade pacts, with Slovakia committing to practical steps for its implementation. The agreements signed are set to facilitate deeper cooperation in labor migration, digital technologies, higher education, and quantum communication.
Furthermore, India and Slovakia acknowledged the growing geopolitical and economic importance of the Indo-Pacific, valuing a stronger partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation, regional connectivity, and peaceful dispute resolution. They also expressed support for the safe and legal mobility of skilled professionals, welcoming the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of labor migration and agreeing to work towards an early conclusion of a Social Security Agreement.