India, Slovakia elevate ties to comprehensive partnership, boost trade and defence cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Monday. PIC/PTI

India and Slovakia on Monday elevated their ties to the level of a comprehensive partnership and vowed to boost bilateral trade and defence cooperation 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.

Modi is in Bratislava as part of his week-long visit to Europe. "We have decided to elevate our relations to the status of a Comprehensive Partnership. This symbolises our shared beliefs, shared priorities, and shared future," said Modi.

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.

In his remarks, PM Fico hailed the India-EU FTA, describing it as one of the "most ambitious" trade pacts ever signed.

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