Political Relations

Background:

India's relations with Slovakia as part of the erstwhile Czechoslovakia were traditionally warm and friendly. These relations have continued after the Slovak Republic gained its independence in January 1993. According to the Slovak Government's declared foreign policy objectives, Asia has been stated to represent an important region with great economic potential, with Japan, China, the ASEAN countries and India being listed as priority countries. The Slovak Government welcomed and appreciated the opening of the Embassy of India, Bratislava (one of 32 resident missions) in August 1995, which was agreed during the former PM Moravcik's visit to India and considered it as a further indication of India's interest in enhancing relations with Slovakia. Both India and Slovakia, at various levels, have constantly reiterated interest in enhancing co-operation, and are particularly keen to continue the fruitful cooperation in the economic, political, cultural and defence fields.

Visits from India to Slovakia:

• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, accompanied by Smt. Indira Gandhi, had visited Bratislava in 1938, and the visit is commemorated by a plaque in one of the main city squares in Bratislava.
• President Giani Zail Singh visited in 1983.
• Following the creation of the independent Slovak Republic, the visit in February 1993 by the then Minister of State for External Affairs Shri R.L.Bhatia was the first non-European Minister to visit Slovakia, a few weeks after its establishment.
• Former Minister of State for Defence, Shri Mallikarjun visited Slovakia in July 1994.
• The then President Dr.Shanker Dayal Sharma, accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Governors of Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya, the Minister of Human Resource Development, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Members of Parliament, senior officials and leading industrialists, paid a state visit to Slovakia from 9th - 10th October, 1996.
• The Chief of Army Staff, General Roychowdhury, visited Slovakia in October, 1996.
• The then Minister of Steel and Mines, Shri B.P.Baishya, visited Slovakia in June '97.
• The then Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Mrs Renuka Chowdhury, visited Slovakia in November '97.
• Union Minister for Environment and Forests Shri Suresh P.Prabhu visited Bratislava in May '98 to attend the 4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Bio-diversity and he also had bilateral meetings the with Slovak side.
• The Vice President of India Shri Krishan Kant accompanied by Smt. Suman Krishan Kant visited Slovakia from June 13-16, 2000 at the invitation of the Slovak Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Mikulas Dzurinda.

During his visit to Slovakia, the President had meetings with the then Slovak President, Mr.Michal Kovac, the Prime Minister, Mr. Vladimir Meciar, and the then President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic (Speaker), Mr.Ivan Gasparovic. Discussions focussed on the existing close ties between India and Slovakia and the potential for enhancing bilateral co-operation in various fields including trade and commerce, defence, culture, education, and science and technology.

The Vice President had friendly and cordial meetings with the Slovak President. Mr. Rudolf Schuster, PM Mikulas Dzurinda, and Chairman of the Slovak National Council Mr. Jozef Migas.

Visits from Slovakia to India:

• Parliamentary delegation led by the Chairman (Speaker) of National Council (Parliament). Mr. Ivan Gasparovic to attend the IPU Conference in April 1993;
• Minister of Economy, Mr. Jaroslav Kubeca in May 1993.
• Prime Minister Jozef Moravcik in July 1994, along with the then Ministers of Defence and Economy and senior officials;
• Defence Minister, Mr. Jan Sitek in November 1995.
• Minister of Economy Mr.Karol Cesnek in December 1996.
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Mrs Zdenka Kramplova paid an official visit to India from 8th-10th December '97 and had meetings with the Prime Minister, Speaker, MOS for External Affairs, MOS for Commerce and FICCI representatives.
• Deputy Prime Minister, Pal Csaky in February 1999, who met Vice President, former PM Gujral and leaders of Indian trade and industry.
• State Secretary, Ministry of Economy, Mr. Peter Brno, led the Slovak side at the 4th Session of Indo-Slovak Joint Committee on Economic and Commercial Cooperation held at New Delhi from November 29-30, 2001.
• State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jaroslav Chlebo, paid an official visit to India from May 1-3, 2002.
• Minister of Environment, Mr. Laszlo Miklos, visited New Delhi at the invitation of Minister of Environment Mr. T.R. Baalu, to participate in the 8th Session of the Conference of Parties to the Climate Change Convention held in New Delhi from October 29 to November 01, 2002.
• Minister for Economy, Mr. Lubomir Jahnatek, visited New Delhi at the invitration of the Minister for Commerce & Industry Mr. Kamal Nath from 13th-15th November 2006.
• State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Diana Strofova, visited India at the invitation of the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, to participate in the International Conference marking the Centenary of the Satyagraha movement, in New Delhi on 29-30th January 2007

Visit of Dr Ivan Gasparovic, President of the Slovak Republic to India

His Excellency, Dr Ivan Gasparovic, President of the Slovak Republic paid State Visit to India during 12-15 December 2005. This was the first official visit to India by a Slovak Head of State. He was accompanied by senior ministers, officials and a large business delegation. He held discussions with the president of India Dr Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh and other Cabinet Ministers. He also visited Agra, Jaipur and Mumbai. During his visit, a street in New Delhi was named after Alexander Dubcek the reformist leader from Slovakia. Cooperation agreements in economic sector, Small and Medium industries and Culture were signed during the visit. The Slovak Government extended support for the 'permanent presence' of India in an expanded UN Security Council.

Foreign Office Consultations:

The First Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi in March 1996. The consultations were found very effective as an important institution of interaction between the two Foreign Offices. The last round of consultations were held from December 13 - 14, 1999 to discuss important and significant developments both within the two countries bilaterally, in two countries' respective regions and across the globe. The Indian delegation was led by Shri R.S. Kalha, Secretary (West) and comprised of Shri M. Ganapathy, JS(EE) and Ambassador Lal Dingliana. The Slovak side was led by Mr. Frantisk Dlhopolcek, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and included Mr. Marian Tomasik, Ambassador / Director (4th TEO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Discussions on bilateral, regional and international matters were covered in depth. During discussion with Economy State Secretary Brno, it was agreed that there was considerable potential for enhancement of trade and investment, including joint ventures. Future areas of cooperation were seen in IT sector, pharmaceutical and infrastructure. The President of Slovak Chambers of Commerce and Industry Mr. Peter Mihok informed Secretary (West) that Slovakia saw major scope in these sectors due to competitiveness in pricing and modern technology of Indian products in IT sector. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the ongoing defence cooperation.