India and Slovakia today elevated their ties to a comprehensive partnership and inked 11 agreements to expand bilateral cooperation.
These agreements have been signed in a range of areas such as migration, digital technology and defence following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico. The two leaders also agreed to work towards the earliest implementation of the India-European Union free trade agreement, that is expected to significantly shore up the bilateral economic engagement.
In the first visit to the European nation by an Indian Prime Minister, Mr Modi said elevation of relations to the status of a Comprehensive Partnership symbolises shared beliefs, priorities and future. The Prime Minister said he discussed ways to give a new direction to the ties with his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico.
Mr. Modi also said that the defence cooperation between India and Slovakia is a testament to the deep mutual trust and strategic convergence between the two sides. A Letter of Intent was finalised on defence cooperation following the talks between the two leaders.
The Prime Minister said it will give new momentum for cooperation between defence industries of the two sides. The agreements inked in areas of labour migration, defence, digital technologies, higher education and quantum communication.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Fico expressed support for the orderly, safe and legal mobility of skilled professionals and welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of labour migration to facilitate mobility.
The two sides also agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a Social Security Agreement, which would contribute to safeguarding the welfare and social protection of working professionals engaged in mobility between India and Slovakia.
Both leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector with a view to promoting energy security, sustainability and resilience through diversification of energy sources, including nuclear energy and geothermal power.
Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his appreciation to Mr Fico for the cooperation Slovakia extended in finalising the India-EU free trade agreement.
In his remarks, PM Fico hailed the India-EU FTA, describing it as one of the most ambitious trade pacts ever signed. In the meeting, the two leaders, duly recognising the growing geopolitical, economic and technological importance of the Indo-Pacific.
They alao acknowledged the value of a stronger partnership between India and Slovakia in support of mutually beneficial cooperation, regional connectivity, open international trade, freedom of navigation, peaceful resolution of disputes, according to a joint statement.