THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JUNE 15, 2026

India and Slovakia on Monday elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico agreeing to significantly expand cooperation in cybersecurity, defence, advanced technologies and counter-terrorism, while charting a roadmap for stronger economic engagement.

The two leaders placed particular emphasis on digital security, agreeing to strengthen collaboration in protecting critical information infrastructure and preventing and combating cybercrime. They also reaffirmed their commitment to promoting an open, secure, accessible, stable, interoperable, resilient and peaceful digital space. Recognising emerging technological challenges, India and Slovakia pledged to support each other in safeguarding information technology systems against quantum-era threats to cryptography and to work together on preparedness for post-quantum security transitions.

According to the Joint Statement issued after their meeting, the enhanced cooperation will be facilitated through a Memorandum of Cooperation signed in the field of critical infrastructure protection and post-quantum cryptography. The leaders also identified technology as a key pillar of the bilateral partnership, with a new MoU on digital technology expected to unlock fresh avenues of collaboration in artificial intelligence, space and other emerging sectors.

The discussions also focused on boosting economic ties, with both sides exploring opportunities in automobiles, railways, advanced manufacturing and green technology. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would provide fresh momentum to bilateral trade and investment relations.

 “Held an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Fico. This is indeed a very special moment for the India-Slovakia friendship. Considering the strong potential of our ties, we have elevated our relations to a Comprehensive Partnership. Our talks covered cooperation in sectors like automobiles, railways, advanced manufacturing and green technology. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement will also add momentum to our partnership,” Modi said in a post on X.

Security and counter-terrorism emerged as another major focus area, with both leaders unequivocally condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. The two countries agreed to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and called for coordinated international efforts to combat the menace in a comprehensive and sustained manner. They reiterated their commitment to stronger cooperation within the United Nations framework and stressed the need for decisive action against terrorists, terrorist entities and their networks, including those designated under the UN Security Council’s sanctions regime.

The leaders also underscored the importance of bringing perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of terrorist acts to justice and agreed to work closely towards the early finalisation and adoption of the United Nations-backed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

Defence cooperation received a significant boost as both sides agreed to intensify consultations between their defence establishments and explore collaboration in defence technologies, research and development, capacity building and industrial partnerships. They welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation, which is expected to strengthen mutually beneficial engagement between the two countries’ defence sectors.

In addition, India and Slovakia agreed to enhance cooperation in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building, focusing on resilient infrastructure, institutional partnerships, capacity development and knowledge sharing, reflecting a broadening strategic partnership that extends beyond traditional diplomatic and economic engagement.