Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday, 16 June publicly thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing a two-day State Visit to Bratislava, describing mutual respect as the cornerstone of Slovakia's foreign policy. The warm send-off capped a visit that both leaders called historic, with agreements spanning trade, manufacturing, energy, and digital technology.

The Send-Off and What Fico Said

Fico personally saw off Modi at the hotel before the Indian Prime Minister departed for the airport en route to France. Footage of the farewell showed Fico in conversation with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Modi. Sharing the video on X, Fico wrote: 'Thank you for your visit Narendra Modi. Good relationships built on mutual respect – that is the foundation of our foreign policy.'

Modi, in turn, posted his own message: 'Concluding a historic and productive visit to Slovakia. The outcomes of this visit will go a long way in strengthening bilateral ties between our nations. Stronger trade relations will greatly benefit our youth. Gratitude to the Slovakian government and people for the warmth. I am very grateful to Prime Minister Fico for coming to see me off.'

Key Meetings During the Visit

Over the two days, Modi met both Prime Minister Fico and President Peter Pellegrini. Talks at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava on Monday covered a broad agenda. Modi later described the discussions: 'Today's talks with President Pellegrini covered diverse subjects such as closer ties in manufacturing, transport, innovation and investment linkages, energy, biofuels and more. There is also immense scope to cooperate in the field of digital technology. We also talked about deepening people-to-people linkages.'

Slovakia Confers Highest State Honour on Modi

In a significant diplomatic gesture, Slovakia on Monday awarded Modi its highest state distinction — the Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class). This marked the 33rd international honour conferred upon the Indian Prime Minister by a foreign nation, underscoring the growing recognition of India's diplomatic stature on the global stage.

Significance and What Comes Next

This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia, making it a landmark moment in bilateral relations. The visit comes amid India's broader push to deepen ties with Central European nations, a region increasingly relevant to supply chains in semiconductors, automotive components, and clean energy. Notably, Slovakia is a key European Union member with significant manufacturing capabilities, making the trade and investment agenda particularly consequential. Both sides are expected to formalise follow-up frameworks in the coming weeks as Modi continued his European tour with a stop in France.