The year 2025 will be remembered as a defining chapter of relations between India and Slovakia. Marked by renewed political momentum, expanding economic engagements and deepening cultural and educational ties, the partnership has evolved into a dynamic and forward-looking relationship anchored in shared values and mutual interests.
A historic milestone was the state visit of the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, to Slovakia – the presidential visit in nearly three decades. This momentous occasion symbolized the strength of bilateral goodwill and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to elevate thecooperation across multiple sectors.
Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar attended geopolitical conference Raisina Dialogue, engaged with Indian and international leaders and led the delegation of the Slovak companies, further strengthening economic engagements. Second round of Slovak Technology & Innovation Day was successfully organised in Delhi, showcasing Slovakia’s strengths in innovation and advanced technologies. The reopening of the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic in Kolkata marked an important step toward enhancing cooperation with the eastern region of India.
The 12th Session of the Indo-Slovak Joint Economic Committee (JEC)marked a milestone in institutionalized economic cooperation. The session celebrated the participation of the Slovak business delegation at the 26th International Engineering & Technology Fair (IETF) in New Delhi. As a key bilateral platform, the JEC plays a vital role in strengthening trade, investment, and industrial partnerships between the two countries.
In 2025, totally five business missions with B2B meetings were organized to strengthen economic and technological cooperation: three in Delhi, one in Kolkata, and one in Bratislava, connected hundreds of Slovak and Indian companies, facilitated technology transfer, promoted joint innovation initiatives, and helped turn dialogue into concrete business outcomes.
In 2025, several State Secretaries of the Slovak Republic participated in India in important international events. Róbert Zsembera from the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth took part in the APAIE 2025 Higher Education Fair in March. In December, Radovan Majerský from the Ministry of Finance attended the 18th Plenary Meeting of the OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. Also in December, Mário Maruška from the Ministry of Culture participated in the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition, Rastislav Chovanec, State Secretary from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, also visited India for engagements in trade, investments and innovations.
Economic cooperation emerged as one of the strongest pillars of the partnership. Bilateral trade recorded annual growth of approx. 30%, crossing €1.6 billion in 2025. Slovak companies have been increasingly active in India, particularly in sectors aligned with India’s transformation agenda under Viksit Bharat 2047.
Slovak investments in Uttar Pradesh, Odishaand West Bengal not only support India’s modernisation in areas such as green technologies, railway infrastructure, smart mobility, and digital innovation, but also generate local employment and facilitate the transfer of advanced technologies. Simultaneously, Indian businesses are showing increasing interest in the Slovak market, benefiting from its strategic location within the European Union and its strong industrial capabilities.
Education and students mobility have also become key drivers of bilateral engagement. The doubling of student visa numbers in 2025 reflects a rising interest among Indian students in Slovak higher education institutions, which are gaining recognition for their quality and specialization, particularly in technical and scientific disciplines. Slovak universities, in turn, are proactively establishing partnerships with Indian counterparts, fostering academic exchanges, joint research initiatives, and innovation-driven collaboration.
The Indian diaspora in Slovakia isgrowing steadily, with more than 9000 Indian nationals contributing to various sectors of the Slovak economy, including industry, services, and technology. As the second-largest foreign workforce in the country, Indians play an increasingly visible role in supporting Slovakia’s economic growth and addressing labour market needs.
Cultural diplomacy has added further depth and richness to Indo-Slovak relations. Events such as Slovak Cultural Days in India have showcased Slovakia’s artistic and cultural heritage to Indian audiences, fostering greater awareness and appreciation. At the same time, the firstever translation of ancient Indian philosophical works – the Upanishadsinto Slovak language has brought India’s intellectual traditions closer to Slovak readers. These exchanges highlight the timeless relevance of bilateral cultural dialogue, mutual understanding and respect.
In conclusion, the development in year 2025 clearly illustrates that Indo-Slovak relations are not only strengthening but also diversifying in meaningful ways with stronger political engagements, robust economic growth and people to people contacts. As both India and Slovakia navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, their cooperation stands as a testament to the power of dialogue, partnership and shared values.