President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Bratislava today, marking the first visit by an Indian head of state to Slovakia in 29 years and only the second ever, as she seeks to deepen bilateral ties with this Central European nation. Landing in Vienna late last night and traveling by road to the Slovak capital, President Murmu’s arrival kicks off a two-day state visit that points to India’s growing engagement with the European Union amid shifting global dynamics.
The visit, at the invitation of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, follows President Murmu’s successful two-day tour of Portugal, where she concluded engagements yesterday. Her journey to Slovakia—the first since President Shankar Dayal Sharma’s visit in 1996—comes as both nations celebrate three decades since the establishment of India’s embassy in Bratislava in 1995.
Today, the Indian President was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honor at the Grassalkovich Palace, the presidential residence, where she held delegation-level talks with Pellegrini.
What’s on the agenda?
The agenda focuses on expanding cooperation in trade, technology, and defense.
Slovakia, home to a burgeoning automotive sector, hosts a state-of-the-art Jaguar Land Rover facility in Nitra, which President Murmu will visit tomorrow. Opened in 2018 with a €1.4 billion investment from India’s Tata Motors, the plant produces 150,000 vehicles annually and employs 200 Indian workers among its staff.
A strategic partnership
In a press statement following their meeting, Mr. Pellegrini hailed President Murmu’s visit as a turning point in India-Slovakia relations.
The leaders discussed elevating a 1995 defense pact through joint manufacturing and military exercises, reflecting Slovakia’s role as a NATO member and India’s push for diversified global partnerships. President Murmu emphasized collaboration in renewable energy and artificial intelligence, areas where Slovakia aims to share expertise, according to Andrej Krupa, a special advisor to Pellegrini.
Trade between the nations, though modest at $400 million annually, has room to grow. Slovakia’s envoy to India, Apoorva Srivastava, told local media that discussions are underway for a mobility partnership to facilitate the movement of skilled professionals—a move that could boost Indian exports of pharmaceuticals, apparel, and IT services to this EU gateway. The anticipated India-EU Free Trade Agreement, slated for late 2025, could further amplify these ties.
Cultural bridges and Diaspora ties
Beyond economics, Murmu’s visit celebrates cultural connections. Slovakia boasts a deep tradition of Sanskrit studies, with Mahatma Gandhi’s works translated into Slovak—a link Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted in a recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address.
Later today, Murmu will meet Prime Minister Robert Fico and National Council Speaker Richard Rasi, followed by a state banquet hosted by Pellegrini. Her itinerary reflects a blend of diplomacy and symbolism, with a floral tribute planned at a local monument honoring India’s independence struggle.
Tomorrow, the Indian President will participate in a traditional Slovak bread-and-salt ceremony, symbolizing hospitality, before meeting with the 6,000-strong Indian diaspora in Bratislava. The community, bolstered by Slovakia’s support during the 2022 evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine, greeted her arrival with enthusiasm.