President: Cooperation with India Offers Opportunities for Economic Growth

Bratislava, 15 June (TASR) - The first-ever official visit by an Indian prime minister to Slovakia has confirmed the growing momentum in relations between the two countries and the ambition to take them to a new level, President Peter Pellegrini stated on Monday after receiving Indian Premier Narendra Modi at the Presidential Palace, TASR was told by the President's Office. The Slovak head of state described the visit as a significant moment in relations between the two countries, which, according to him, have gained new momentum in recent years. "Slovakia and India have enjoyed more than three decades of diplomatic relations. Today, however, we're creating a more comprehensive framework for our cooperation based on trust, predictability, and specific projects," he said. Pellegrini emphasised that, as an industrially strong country within the European Union, Slovakia has much to offer India. "Slovakia has a strong industrial base, experience in nuclear energy, a developed automotive sector, growing technology companies, and an interest in practical cooperation in areas that are important for the future of both countries," he said, adding that Slovakia and India see opportunities for cooperation, for example, in the defence industry, space technologies, and energy. "We're immensely proud that our first skCUBE satellite was launched into orbit by an Indian rocket. We're interested in developing cooperation in the space industry, nuclear energy, and high-value-added technologies as well," he stated. The president also praised the growth in mutual trade and the presence of Indian investments in Slovakia, citing the Jaguar Land Rover plant near Nitra, which belongs to the Tata Motors group, as the most visible example. "Our economic relations have become the backbone of our partnership. Slovakia is and will remain a stable and secure European hub for Indian investments," he pointed out. am