Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bratislava is the first by an Indian leader since Slovakia’s “velvet divorce” from the Czech Republic.
Narendra Modi is currently on an official visit to Slovakia, making him the first Indian prime minister to travel to the central European nation since its split from Czechoslovakia and attainment of independence in 1993.
The visit aims to strengthen India’s ties with Slovakia in sectors such as trade, investment, and automobile and railway manufacturing, India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi stated when announcing the trip last week.
Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Bratislava were established over 30 years ago, following the separation of Czechoslovakia into the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Modi receives traditional Slovak welcome
Modi arrived in the capital, Bratislava, on Sunday evening for a three-day trip, where he was welcomed by Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar, according to a statement on X by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Modi’s welcome featured the traditional Slovak custom of offering guests bread and salt.
A performance of India’s national song “Vande Mataram” was also presented by the Lucnica Ensemble.
Members of the Indian diaspora also greeted Modi, as reported by Indian news agency ANI.
“This visit represents an opportunity to deepen relations between India and Slovakia and to explore new possibilities for cooperation,” Modi wrote on X upon arriving in Slovakia after bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice.
The Indian leader is scheduled to meet Slovakia’s President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico during his stay.
“I look forward to constructive negotiations,” he said regarding the planned talks in Slovakia.
Modi is expected to return to France on Tuesday to take part in the G7 Summit in Evian.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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