Bratislava, June 15: India and Slovakia on Monday signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on defence cooperation, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in joint development, joint production, and defence industry partnerships. The agreement marks a significant milestone in the growing strategic relationship between the two nations.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint press statement with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava following bilateral talks.
Describing the defence agreement as a reflection of the strong trust between the two countries, Prime Minister Modi said the pact would open new opportunities for cooperation in defence manufacturing and technology.
“Our defence cooperation reflects the deep mutual trust and strategic alignment between India and Slovakia. The Letter of Intent signed today will provide fresh impetus to joint development, joint production, and collaboration between the defence industries of both nations,” Modi said.
Prime Minister Fico also underlined Slovakia’s interest in strengthening cooperation in the defence sector and exploring new avenues of industrial partnership.
Beyond defence, the two leaders reviewed progress in several areas of bilateral engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy amid evolving global challenges.
Emphasising the importance of peaceful conflict resolution, Modi said both countries shared the view that disputes and tensions should be addressed through constructive dialogue.
In another key outcome of the visit, India and Slovakia announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labour migration aimed at facilitating greater mobility of professionals and skilled workers. Modi also revealed that negotiations on a social security agreement were nearing completion and would be finalised soon.
The Indian Prime Minister extended an invitation to Fico to visit India, expressing satisfaction that the Slovak leader had accepted the invitation.
The discussions reflected a shared desire to deepen cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors, including defence, trade, workforce mobility, and global affairs.
A major highlight of the visit was the decision to elevate India-Slovakia relations to a “Comprehensive Partnership,” signalling a new phase in bilateral engagement.
Calling Fico “an experienced leader and a true friend of India,” Modi noted that his visit marked a historic occasion as it was the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia.
“On this landmark occasion, we have decided to elevate our relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership. This step is rooted in our shared trust, common priorities, and a joint vision for the future,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Modi received a ceremonial welcome from Prime Minister Fico against the backdrop of the iconic Bratislava Castle. The two leaders later held wide-ranging talks focused on strengthening cooperation in multiple sectors and advancing shared strategic interests.
According to India's Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions were aimed at expanding bilateral collaboration across diverse areas while reinforcing the strong and friendly ties between the two countries.
