PM Modi in Slovakia: Lucnica Ensemble sings Vande Mataram in Bratislava
Synopsis
For the first time since Slovakia became an independent nation in 1993, an Indian Prime Minister has set foot in Bratislava — and the welcome included a Slovak ensemble singing Vande Mataram, a moment that landed especially hard given India is marking 150 years of the national song. The visit signals a deliberate Indian push into Central Europe at a moment of heightened geopolitical flux.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi arrived in Bratislava, Slovakia on 15 June 2025 — the first Indian Prime Minister to visit since Slovakia's independence in 1993 .
The celebrated Lucnica Ensemble performed 'Vande Mataram' , coinciding with India marking 150 years of the national song.
Modi was received by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar with the traditional welcome of bread and salt .
The visit follows President Droupadi Murmu's State Visit to Slovakia in April 2025 and Slovak President Pellegrini's India trip in February .
Modi is scheduled to meet Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico during the two-day State visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, on Sunday, 15 June, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Central European nation since its independence in 1993. Members of the Indian diaspora turned out in large numbers to greet him at the Grand Hotel River Park, where the celebrated Lucnica Ensemble performed a stirring rendition of the national song 'Vande Mataram' — a moment that drew widespread attention given that India is marking 150 years of the iconic composition.
A Historic First for India-Slovakia Ties
Modi was received at the hotel by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, who extended the traditional Slovak welcome of bread and salt — a cultural gesture symbolising hospitality, respect, and goodwill. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that this two-day State visit marks a historic milestone in bilateral relations, opening what officials described as 'new avenues for partnership.'
The visit follows President Droupadi Murmu's State Visit to Slovakia in April 2025 and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini's trip to India for the AI Impact Summit in February, underscoring the growing momentum in India-Slovakia engagement.
Cultural Highlights of the Welcome
Beyond the Lucnica Ensemble's performance of Vande Mataram, Modi also witnessed a spiritual performance by the Slovakian musical group Mahadeva Kirtan Projekt. A folk ensemble from Slovakia's Myjava region, Kopaniciarik, presented a traditional cultural performance that the Prime Minister praised as a vital expression of living heritage.
'Witnessed a captivating performance by Kopaniciarik from the Myjava region of Slovakia. Folk traditions such as these help preserve one's culture and history,' Modi said in a post on X.
What PM Modi Said
Modi took to his official X account multiple times to share his impressions of the welcome. On the Lucnica Ensemble's rendition, he wrote: 'The team of Lucnica Ensemble sang Vande Mataram during the welcome in Bratislava. This comes at a time when we are marking 150 years of Vande Mataram and recalling its glorious contribution to India's history and freedom struggle.'
On the broader reception, he added: 'Yesterday evening's welcome in Bratislava was truly special. I am grateful to the Indian community for their warmth and affection. Such gestures reflect the enduring bonds that connect our people and strengthen the India-Slovakia friendship.'
Confirming his schedule, Modi wrote: 'Reached Bratislava. This visit provides an opportunity to deepen India-Slovakia relations and explore new avenues of cooperation. Looking forward to productive meetings with President Pellegrini and Prime Minister Fico.'
Diplomatic Agenda
During the two-day State visit, Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico. The visit is expected to cover trade, technology, and people-to-people ties. Notably, Modi also shared glimpses from an earlier stop in Nice, France, expressing confidence in the strengthening India-France partnership before travelling onward to Bratislava.
With Slovakia holding a strategic position within the European Union, the visit is seen as part of India's broader diplomatic outreach to Central and Eastern Europe — a region that has gained fresh geopolitical salience since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
Point of View
But the diplomatic substance deserves equal attention. This is India's first Prime Ministerial engagement with Slovakia in over three decades of the country's existence — a gap that itself speaks to how long Central Europe sat outside New Delhi's active diplomatic orbit. With the EU's internal fault lines deepening and Slovakia's Fico government charting an independent foreign policy course, India's outreach here is neither routine nor without strategic calculation. Whether the visit translates into concrete deliverables — on trade, technology, or the defence supply chain — will determine if this remains a ceremonial milestone or becomes a genuine inflection point.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PM Modi's visit to Slovakia historic?
This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country gained independence in 1993, making it a landmark moment in India-Slovakia diplomatic history. The visit is aimed at deepening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperation.
What is the significance of Lucnica Ensemble performing Vande Mataram?
The Lucnica Ensemble, a celebrated Slovak cultural group, performed 'Vande Mataram' as part of the official welcome for PM Modi in Bratislava. The moment carried added resonance because India is currently marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, the national song that played a pivotal role in the country's freedom struggle.
Who will PM Modi meet during his Slovakia visit?
PM Modi is scheduled to hold meetings with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico during his two-day State visit to Bratislava. The talks are expected to cover bilateral trade, technology partnerships, and people-to-people ties.
What recent high-level exchanges have taken place between India and Slovakia?
President Droupadi Murmu made a State Visit to Slovakia in April 2025, and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini visited India for the AI Impact Summit in February 2025. PM Modi's visit builds on this recent diplomatic momentum.
What cultural performances were part of PM Modi's welcome in Bratislava?
The welcome included a rendition of Vande Mataram by the Lucnica Ensemble, a spiritual performance by the Mahadeva Kirtan Projekt, a traditional bread-and-salt ceremony, and a folk performance by Kopaniciarik from Slovakia's Myjava region.
