Modi in Slovakia: PM Modi Makes Historic First-Ever Visit to Slovakia, Boosting Strategic Ties

[00:00:00]Now the Narendra Modi Your Excellency Prime Minister Fiso Delegates from both countries Media friends Namaskar Dobrin Our cordiality [appreciation] I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Fiso for our warm welcome.

[00:00:36]Apart from being an experienced leader, he is also a true friend of India.

[00:00:53]His friendship and unwavering commitment have been of great significance in taking India-Slovakia relations to new heights. I am happy that by meeting him today I had the opportunity to witness a historic strength in our relations.

[00:01:15]This visit of mine is the first visit of any Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia.

[00:01:25]I am happy that on this historic occasion we have decided to elevate our relations to the status of a Comprehensive Partnership.

[00:01:38]It symbolizes our shared faith, shared priorities and shared future.

[00:01:50]Become a powerful medium of service and progress.

[00:01:55]This is our mold thinking.

[00:01:58]We believe that the future of AI should be based not only on innovation but also on trust, responsibility and human dignity. There is huge potential to increase cooperation between us in the field of space.

[00:02:26]Slovakia's first satellite was launched by India in 2017.

[00:02:33]Today the space sector in India is scaling new heights at an unprecedented pace. I invite Slovakian companies to join this development journey.

[00:02:53]Civil nuclear energy is also a key priority area for both countries.

[00:03:01]We stressed on increasing cooperation between industries and experts of both the countries in this area.

[00:03:10]Defence cooperation is a testimony to our deep mutual trust and strategic convergence.

[00:03:21]I am happy that today we signed a Letter of Intent in this important area. This will give new impetus to joint development, joint production and cooperation between defence industries.

[00:03:42]Friends, India and Slovakia are also moving forward in close coordination on the global stage.

[00:03:50]We agree that all disputes and tensions should be resolved peacefully.

[00:04:02]We will continue to move forward in this direction together with all our partners.

[00:04:05]We agree on this as well.

[00:04:09]That global institutions must redefine themselves to the realities and challenges of the 21st century.

[00:04:20]We will work towards strengthening global efforts on this issue.

[00:04:30]Friends, the deep cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries provide a strong foundation to our relations. The translation of ancient Indian Upanishads into Slovak language is an excellent example of our cultural diversity.

[00:05:02]People of Indian origin living in Slovakia are making significant contributions to the economy and society here.

[00:05:22]Today we have announced an MoU on Labour Migration to increase the mobility of professionals and skilled workers between the two countries.

[00:05:27]We will also finalise the MoU on social security soon.

[00:05:35]Excellency, I once again express my heartfelt gratitude to you for today's very fruitful discussion and your positive thinking for India. On behalf of 140 crore Indians, I invite you to visit India and I am happy that you have publicly accepted this invitation. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you.

[00:06:14]I am confident that our comprehensive partnership will lay the foundation for new opportunities, shared prosperity and a brighter future for our people in the years to come. Thank you very much.

[00:06:33]Hello.

[00:06:35][Applause] Handshake between Prime Minister Modi and the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico over there. Ah Prime Minister in Raithithi Slava. The Slovak Capital. Let's quickly go across to Siddhant who is joining us live from Slovakia. Principle Remember What Makes This Alright. So, remember this visit is extremely significant given Prime Minister Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to be visiting independent Slovakia. And as the Prime Minister highlighted it was in 2017 with the help of Indian technology that Slovakia was able to launch its satellite. And that happens to also mark a huge milestone in our battle ties, which in fact go back a long way and ever since the EUFTA was forced remember touted as the mother of all trade deals, there's been a lot of push, especially on building relations across sectors of defence. The technology space is well. But one must keep in mind that the Prime Minister's visit is also happening at a very critical juncture. He will then be departing for Nice and in anyone remember this is where the G7 summit has already commenced.

[00:07:58]As Far As Lwakia Is Concern. Ah there have been high level engagements but India and Slovakia actually reached their highest butler trade in the year 2024.

[00:08:12]As for defence is concern an MoU on defence cooperation has already been signed between two sides which goes back to the year 1995 it is also the armoured systems which India is looking to explore let's quickly go across to Sanjay who continues to stay with us so Sanjay wether it is nuclear energy space cooperation and defence take us through what can we expect out of the MoU more that are going to be signed today in the presence of both the Prime Ministers.

[00:08:47]Well the Prime Minister spoke of the Indian launch of the Slovak satellite he mentioned civil nuclear cooperation and also defence. And on all of this, uh in all of these areas. Certainly there is a movement forward we can expect by the way of MOUS. Or by agreements to further explore the possibilities of working together. But what is of immediate significance and certainly in Slovakia consequently in India is the mention of an agreement on the labor issue and that is critical for Slovakia and that could be of great importance and interest to India as well.

[00:09:28]Slovakia Consider has a population of just about 5 million. That population is declining year on year over the past five years that has declined significantly every year. There is concern in Slovakia about what it can do by way of production. At the same time we have clear data that Slovakia is the world's highest car cap per capita producer of automobiles. A population of 5 million and it has produced 1 million. More Than One Million Cars Last Year, It Needs People in the Production Line to Do This Work. And there for this labour agreement could spell the flow of more Indian workers to Slovakia in this field. Also it could possibly be produced in India. Joint production in India for many of the automobile companies in Lwkia. We Have Major Companies Folkswagen. JLR present very significantly in Slovakia Volvo is coming in so the demand for production is going to rise and there is a need for either more labour from India or joint production in India and this certainly is of great and immediate interest to India.

[00:10:45]Interesting aspects to this butteral relationship one which has only grown over the years especially since 1993. Sanjay, thank you for bringing us all those inputs.