Context: 

President Droupadi Murmu concluded her four-day state visit to Portugal and Slovakia (April 7-10, 2025), marking the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in 29 years. The visit was aimed at discussing diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations.

Significance of the Visit

This was the first Indian presidential visit to Slovakia since President Shankar Dayal Sharma’s visit in 1996. The visit focused on bilateral trade, diplomatic training, technological cooperation, and cultural exchanges, strengthening historical ties between the two nations.

Diplomatic Engagements and Bilateral Discussions

Meeting with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini

During her meeting with President Peter Pellegrini, key discussions included:

• Strengthening bilateral relations in diplomatic, economic, and technological sectors.
• Cultural and educational exchanges, highlighting Slovakia’s increasing interest in Indian art and culture.
• Slovakia’s support for India’s bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Both leaders also planted a Linden tree—Slovakia’s national tree—as a symbol of friendship, and President Murmu introduced “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, which Slovakia showed interest in adopting.

Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)

Two MoUs were signed between India and Slovakia:

1.    Cooperation in the MSME sector – An agreement between National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC) of India and the Slovak Business Agency.

2.     Diplomatic training cooperation – An agreement between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

President Murmu and President Pellegrini inaugurated the India-Slovak Business Forum in Bratislava.

India-Slovakia Bilateral Relations

India and Slovakia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1993, following the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia (known as the Velvet Divorce).

• Trade Relations: In 2024, bilateral trade was approximately €1.28 billion.
• Trade Composition:
• India’s exports: Mobile phones, footwear, garments, motor vehicle parts, and tires.
• India’s imports: Motor vehicles, machinery, mechanical appliances, pumps, wires, and cables.
• Emerging Areas of Collaboration: Education, health & wellness, tourism, AI, cybersecurity, and space technology.

Conclusion

President Murmu’s visit to Slovakia covered bilateral trade, diplomatic training, technology, and cultural cooperation. The signing of MoUs, high-level diplomatic engagements, and industrial visits provided opportunities for further strengthening ties between the two countries. The visit added new dimensions to economic, technological, and diplomatic relations, laying the groundwork for continued collaboration.