President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Slovakia on Wednesday as part of her ongoing two-nation State visit, becoming only the second Indian Head of State to visit the Central European country. This visit marks a significant moment in the diplomatic history between India and the Slovak Republic, with the last such visit taking place nearly three decades ago.
Following her official engagements in Portugal, President Murmu landed in Vienna and proceeded to Bratislava by road during the early hours. During her two-day stay in Slovakia, she is scheduled to engage in high-level discussions with key Slovakian leaders including President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and Speaker of the National Council Richard Rasi.
Highlighting the cultural and historical ties between the two countries, External Affairs Ministry Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal noted that Slovakia has long appreciated Indian heritage, particularly Sanskrit studies. He also recalled Slovakia’s crucial support during the 2022 evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine and pointed to the translation of Mahatma Gandhi’s works into Slovak as a symbol of the deep-rooted cultural connections.
Lal emphasized the broader significance of India-Slovakia relations within the framework of the India-European Union partnership. Slovakia became a part of the EU around the same time India and the EU formalized their strategic partnership, reinforcing its importance as a European ally.
A key highlight of President Murmu’s visit will be her tour of the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) manufacturing facility in Nitra. Operated by Tata Motors, this state-of-the-art plant represents a major Indian investment in the region. Inaugurated in 2018 with an investment of 1.4 billion euros, the facility boasts an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, underlining the strong industrial cooperation between India and Slovakia.
President Murmu’s visit to Portugal prior to her arrival in Slovakia also witnessed high-level meetings and interactions with the Indian diaspora, further boosting the momentum of diplomatic and business engagements between India and its global partners.
India’s growing presence in Slovakia spans various sectors, including automobiles, IT, engineering, and defense, indicating a broad and deepening partnership between the two nations.