SYLLABUS
GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic State Visit to Slovakia, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia’s independence in 1993, during which both countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership.
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- The visit marked a major milestone in bilateral relations and resulted in the signing of several MoUs, new institutional mechanisms, and a shared commitment to deepen cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.
- Slovak President Peter Pellegrini also conferred upon PM Modi the Order of the White Double Cross (First Class), Slovakia’s highest national honour, recognising his contribution to strengthening India–Slovakia relations.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
- Elevation of Bilateral Relations: India and Slovakia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership.
- Agreed to strengthen political dialogue, parliamentary exchanges and high-level engagements.
- Strategic and Multilateral Cooperation: Slovakia reiterated support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
- Reaffirmed support for reforms of multilateral institutions and closer coordination in international organisations.
- Slovakia maintained its constructive approach towards India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
- Defence and Security: Signed a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation.
- Agreed to enhance collaboration in Defence technologies, Research & Development (R&D), Capacity building and Defence industrial cooperation.
- Counter-Terrorism: Condemned the 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack.
- Announced the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism (JWG-CT).
- Supported early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
- Cyber Security and Quantum Technologies: Signed an MoU on Quantum Communication and Critical Infrastructure Protection.
- Agreed to cooperate on Cybersecurity, Protection of critical information infrastructure, post-quantum cryptography and countering cybercrime.
- Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation: Welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- Agreed to strengthen the India–Slovakia Joint Economic Committee.
- Focus sectors: Automotive, Electronics, Advanced manufacturing, Railways and High-value industrial supply chains.
- Energy and Climate Cooperation: Committed to cooperation on green energy transition, Net-zero goals, Energy security, nuclear energy, and Geothermal energy.
- Promoted technology exchange and joint research.
- Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence: Signed an MoU on Digital Technologies.
- Agreed to collaborate in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors, Start-ups, 5G and 6G technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) applications.
- Established the first-ever ICCR Chair in Artificial Intelligence at the Technical University of Kosice.
- Space Cooperation: Agreed to explore collaboration in Satellite technology, Space applications, and Research and innovation in advanced space technologies.
- Education and Research: Signed MoU on Higher Education and Research.
- Agreement between the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Slovak Technical University.
- Healthcare and Wellness: Expanded cooperation in Pharmaceutical R&D, Digital health, public health management and Healthcare workforce development.
- Signed MoU between the National Institute of Naturopathy and Slovak Health Spa Piestany.
- Culture, Media and Tourism: Signed MoU on Audio-visual Creation.
- Agreed to promote Film and media collaboration, Cultural exchanges, Tourism flows, and Participation in exhibitions and festivals.
- Tourism cooperation agreement signed between tour operator associations.
- Labour Mobility and Consular Affairs: Signed MoU on Labour Migration.
- Agreed to facilitate the mobility of skilled professionals
- Work towards an India–Slovakia Social Security Agreement
- Establish a Consular Dialogue Mechanism for regular consultations.
