Bratislava
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Political:
1. India and Slovak established relations in 1921 with a Czechoslovak Consulate in Bombay. Modern relations began in 1993 after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. Formerly part of Czechoslovakia, the Slovak Republic became an independent sovereign state on 01 January 1993. India recognized the new State immediately. An Indian Resident Mission in Bratislava was established in 1995. Slovakia also has its Mission in New Delhi. It also has Honorary Consuls in Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore. India–Slovakia relations are friendly and free from major bilateral issues.
Bilateral Mechanism:
2. The Indo-Slovak Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) was signed in July 1994. FOCs are expected to be held annually alternatively in New Delhi and Bratislava. Last FOC was held in Feb 2023.
Important Visits/Meetings:
3. The important visits/meetings from India to Slovakia were:
(I) MoS, EA Shri R.L. Bhatia visited Slovakia in January 1993.
(ii) President Shankar Dayal Sharma visited Slovakia in October 1996.
(iii) Vice President Krishan Kant visited Slovakia in June 2000
(iv)MOS, EA, Retd. Gen (Dr.) V.K. Singh visited Slovakia in April 2016.
(v) MOS, EA, Shri M.J. Akbar visited Slovakia in May 2018.
(vi) In November 2021 EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar had a brief meeting with the then FM Korčok on the margins of Sir Bani Yas Forum in UAE.
(vii) EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, visited Slovakia for GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum 2022 from 2-4 June 2022.
(viii) EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar met the FM of Slovakia, Mr. Ratislav Káčer at Slavkov Format in Vienna, Austria on 2 January 2023.
(ix) President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu visited Slovakia from 9-10 April 2025.
4. The important visits from Slovakia to India were:
(I) A parliamentary delegation led by Chairman, Mr. Ivan Gasparovic visited India in 1993
(ii) Slovak Prime Minister Jozef Moravcik visited India in July 1994
(iii) President of the Slovak Republic, Dr. Ivan Gasparovic paid first official visit to India in December 2004
(iv) Mr. Miroslav Lajcak, Foreign and European Affairs Minister visited India in August 2017
(ix) Slovak FM Rastislav Kacer visited India for Raisina Dialogue in 2023 from 2-4 March 2023.
(x) Slovak Minister of Economy visited India in 27-29 March 2023 for Smart Cities India Expo 2023 held in New Delhi.
(xi) Slovak Foreign Minister, Mr. Juraj Blanar visited India for Raisina Dialogue 2024 from 20 to 23 February 2024 along with a Business & Defence delegation.
(x) Slovak Foreign Minister, Mr. Juraj Blanar visited India for Raisina Dialogue 2025 in March 2025 along with a Business delegation. Slovak Minister of Finance also accompanied him.
(xii) Mr. Robert Zsembera, State Secretary, Ministry of Education visited India in March 2025
Economic Relations:
Trade:
5. The trade relations between India and Slovakia are on a upswing. Total bilateral trade during 2024 crossed one billion Euros and stood at Euros 1.28 billion. The bilateral trade in the year 2023 was Euros 858.1 million and Euros 711.9 million in the year 2022.
6. The major items of India’s export to Slovakia are mobile phones, footwear, part of footwear, garments, motor vehicle parts, tyres, medicaments, seats, electrical apparatus. Major items of import from Slovakia include motor vehicles, machinery and mechanical appliances, pumps, transmission shafts, measuring instruments, wire and cables, bearings.
Investment:
7. Some of the major Indian investments in Slovakia are Tata Motor’s Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Kinex Bearings ( CK Birla Group), TCS, Dhoot Transmission, SMP Automotive Solutions Slovakia s.r.o. Illichmann Castalloy s.r.o., Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd.
8. Some of the important Slovak investments in India are Slovakian rail freight cars and bogies manufacturer Tatravagonka a.s., Poprad, Zuari Industries Limited entered into definitive agreements with Envien International Limited, Furbify India Pvt Ltd., Dajky s.r.o., Edgar Baker s.r.o., a human resources company, GMP Slovakia, s.r.o., a worldwide leader in the production of steel reels, drums, firearms manufacturer Grand Power s.r.o etc.
Joint Economic Committee:
9. The Joint Economic Committee (JEC) mechanism was started in May 1995 to boost India-Slovakia commercial engagements. The 12th session was held in Delhi on 19 Feb 2025.
Defence Cooperation:
10. An MoU on defence cooperation was signed between the two sides in 1995. There is huge potential between the two countries under defence cooperation since Slovak defence companies have competing capabilities.
Space Cooperation:
11. India and Slovakia cooperate well in the Space sector. The first Slovak satellite (SKcube) was launched atop the Indian launcher PSLV-XL from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 23 June 2017.
Nuclear Cooperation :
12. India and Slovak Republic signed an MOU on Exchange of Technical Information and Cooperation in the field of Regulation of the Safe Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes on 25-29 September in Vienna, Austria.
Multilateral:
13. Both India and Slovakia cooperate well in international fora and have been, by and large, supportive of each other’s candidatures.
Cultural Relations:
14. An Agreement on Cultural Exchange programme (2023-2026) has been signed between India and Slovakia on 4th March 2023.
15. The Embassy of India in Slovakia has time and again been organizing various cultural events in Bratislava. Embassy also organizes regular Yoga and Ayurveda sessions in Embassy. It also held events for Diwali, Holi, Rathyatra, Garba etc in the year 2024.
16. The first ever translation of the Upnishads from Sanskrit to Slovak language was done by Veda publications in association with the Embassy of India by Mr. Robert Gafrik. This also featured in the 116th episode of Mann ki Baat by PM Narendra Modi.
Indian Community:
17. The NRI/OCI/students population in Slovakia is estimated to be approx 7700. There are about 600 students studying in Slovakia. The Embassy maintains regular contact and invites them during our National Days celebrations and other occasions.
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June 2025
