From bread-and-salt welcome to strategic talks: PM Modi's Slovakia visit spotlights trade, AI and labour mobility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Slovakia late on Sunday evening, beginning the second leg of his three-nation tour and becoming the first Indian prime minister to visit the Central European country since its independence in 1993.

The visit comes as New Delhi and Bratislava look to widen cooperation in trade, investment, manufacturing, and emerging technologies.

Modi was received in Bratislava with a ceremonial Slovak welcome by Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar, including the traditional bread-and-salt greeting that marks hospitality in Slovak culture.

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Modi's arrival and diplomatic messaging

The Prime Minister also drew a warm response from members of the Indian community and local supporters gathered outside his hotel.

In a post on X after landing in Bratislava, Modi said, “This visit provides an opportunity to deepen India-Slovakia relations and explore new avenues of cooperation. Looking forward to productive meetings with President Pellegrini and Prime Minister Fico.”

He separately described the trip as a “historic visit” in his departure statement and said it would strengthen India’s engagement with the European Union, of which Slovakia is a member.

Bilateral talks and economic cooperation

During the visit, Modi was scheduled to hold separate talks with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico, with the discussions expected to focus on economic engagement, industrial partnerships, and cooperation in automobile manufacturing, railways, innovation, and technology.

Modi told reporters the trip would deepen bilateral relations and that he was looking forward to meeting Slovak leaders and business representatives.

Pellegrini, welcoming the visit on X, said: “Dear Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I look forward to welcoming you in Bratislava. Your historic visit will build on our good dialogue from New Delhi and open new opportunities for Slovakia-India cooperation.”

Labour mobility and digital cooperation

The visit also produced a more specific policy push on labour mobility and digital technology.

Modi and Fico unveiled a memorandum of understanding focused on labor migration and digital technology cooperation, with the aim of improving the mobility of professionals and skilled workers between the two countries.

The agreement also points to future cooperation in digital public infrastructure and includes plans for an upcoming social security MoU. Modi welcomed the establishment of an “India Chair on AI” at a Slovak institution, while Fico praised India’s progress in economic growth, digital development, and artificial intelligence.

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Broader strategic engagement

The two nations have been involved at a greater level. PM Modi's trip follows President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Slovakia in April 2025 and Pellegrini's travel to India earlier this year for the AI Impact Summit.

The Slovak leg forms part of Modi’s broader European itinerary and is intended to reinforce India’s economic and strategic outreach in the region.

FAQs

Q1: Why is PM Modi’s Slovakia visit significant?

Ans: PM Modi’s trip is significant because it is the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Slovakia since 1993 and aims to strengthen trade, investment and technology cooperation.

Q2: What agreements were signed during the India-Slovakia talks?

Ans: India and Slovakia signed an MoU on labour migration and digital technology cooperation, with discussions also advancing social security and AI-related partnerships.