Bratislava

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico in Bratislava on Monday during the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to the Central European nation.

The Indian delegation participating in the talks included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George, and Additional Secretary in the MEA Puja Kapur.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome in Bratislava and was accorded a Guard of Honour upon his arrival as he began the second leg of his European tour.

Modi also met Fico at the historic Bratislava Castle for bilateral engagements. Before the formal talks, the two leaders jointly visited an art exhibition hosted at the castle.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, NSA Doval and Foreign Secretary Misri were among the senior Indian officials accompanying the prime minister.

Prime Minister Modi had arrived in Slovakia on Sunday evening and was received at the airport by Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar. He was welcomed with the traditional Slovak offering of bread and salt, symbolising goodwill and friendship.

In a post on X, Modi described the gesture as "a beautiful reflection of Slovakia's rich cultural heritage and the values of goodwill and friendship they cherish."

The reception also featured a performance by the Kopaniciarik children's folk ensemble from the Myjava region, whose members, dressed in colourful traditional attire, performed a Slovak folk dance.

Sharing glimpses of the performance on social media, Modi wrote, "Folk traditions such as these help preserve one's culture and history."

The prime minister also expressed gratitude to the Indian community in Slovakia for the warmth extended to him during the landmark visit, saying such gestures reflected the enduring people-to-people ties that strengthen India-Slovakia relations.

Prime Minister Modi is in Slovakia on a three-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Fico. The visit follows the State Visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Slovakia in April 2025 and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini visiting India for the AI Impact Summit in February 2026.

During the visit, Modi is also scheduled to meet President Pellegrini. The discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, automobile manufacturing, railway development and other strategic sectors.

In his departure statement before leaving India, Modi had said, "I look forward to holding discussions with President Pellegrini and Prime Minister Fico in Bratislava. I will also have the opportunity to interact with Slovak business leaders."

"Building on the momentum of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, the visit will further energise our Strategic Partnership with the European Union, of which Slovakia is an important and valued member," he had added.

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According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Slovakia and builds upon the momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges between the two countries.