International
-Gaurav Sharma
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Bratislava for a two-day Slovakia visit during his three-nation European tour. The trip marks the first visit by an Indian prime minister since Slovakia became independent in 1993.
Modi will meet Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava. The talks are expected to cover trade, investment, technology, automobile manufacturing, railway production, and wider India-Slovakia cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bratislava, Slovakia, meeting President Pellegrini and PM Fico to bolster trade, technology, and cooperation, marking the first PM visit since Slovakia’s 1993 independence.
Modi Slovakia visit focuses on trade and technology
India sees the visit as a chance to widen economic links with Slovakia. Modi will also meet senior Slovak business leaders. Those discussions will focus on new openings for companies from both countries.
After arriving in Slovakia, Modi said the visit would help deepen bilateral ties. He also pointed to fresh areas for joint work between New Delhi and Bratislava.
“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 posted on X.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanr welcomed Modi. The prime minister also received a traditional bread-and-salt welcome. In Slovakia, the gesture represents hospitality, goodwill, and respect.
Modi Slovakia visit follows high-level exchanges
The visit comes after several senior-level contacts between India and Slovakia. President Droupadi Murmu made a state visit to Slovakia in April 2025. President Peter Pellegrini later visited India for the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.
Before leaving for Slovakia, Modi called the trip historic. He said it built on growing energy in bilateral relations. He also expressed confidence that talks with leaders and businesses would strengthen cooperation in key areas.
New Delhi is also looking at the visit through a wider European lens. Slovakia is a member of the European Union. India views stronger ties with Bratislava as useful for deeper engagement with the EU.
Modi arrived in Slovakia after completing engagements in France. There, he held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. He also attended the inauguration of the Bharat Innovates event in Nice.
Modi Slovakia visit linked to wider Europe tour
After his Slovakia programme, Modi will travel to France for the G7 Summit in Evian. The summit is scheduled for June 16 and June 17. He will join talks with G7 leaders and partner countries.
Those discussions are expected to cover international cooperation, economic growth, and artificial intelligence. Modi is also likely to hold several bilateral meetings on the summit sidelines. These meetings form another part of his wider European outreach.
The last stop of the tour will be Paris on June 18. Modi will attend VivaTech 2026 with French President Emmanuel Macron. VivaTech is Europe’s largest technology and startup event.
The Bratislava visit places India-Slovakia ties at the centre of Modi’s Europe schedule. It combines diplomacy, business talks, and technology-focused engagement. The programme also connects India’s bilateral goals with its wider European Union outreach.
