India-Slovakia Partnership: 7 Powerful Breakthroughs Set to Supercharge Global Trade
India and Slovakia are set to strengthen their economic and technological partnership as President Droupadi Murmu prepares for a historic visit—the first by an Indian President to Slovakia in nearly 30 years. The visit aims to deepen collaboration in defence, IT, manufacturing, and business, with Slovakia positioned as a potential gateway to the EU for Indian trade. Bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2024, growing steadily at 15% annually.
Key sectors include automotive, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, with major players like Tata Motors, Amara Raja Group, and Zuari Industries already active in Slovakia. A mobility partnership is being discussed to enable the movement of skilled Indian professionals to Slovakia. Defence cooperation is also on the table, with plans for joint manufacturing and exercises. Slovakia has shown interest in working with India on AI, nuclear energy, and data centers.
With an India-EU Free Trade Agreement expected by the end of 2025, this visit could mark a turning point in India’s engagement with Central Europe.
India-Slovakia Partnership: 7 Powerful Breakthroughs Set to Supercharge Global Trade
President Droupadi Murmu’s upcoming visit to Slovakia marks a historic moment, as it will be the first presidential visit from India to the Central European nation since 1996. The trip underscores a shared commitment to deepen collaboration in critical sectors such as business, defense, manufacturing, and information technology. Slovakia’s strategic position within the European Union (EU) makes it a potential gateway for Indian companies aiming to expand their footprint across Europe.
Growing Trade and Economic Momentum
Bilateral trade between India and Slovakia has surged nearly 15% annually, reaching a record $1.3 billion in 2024—the first time trade volumes have crossed the $1 billion mark. India primarily imports advanced engineering goods, electronics, and automotive products from Slovakia, while exporting textiles, footwear, and automotive components. Indian Ambassador to Slovakia, Apoorva Srivastava, emphasized that 2025 will be a transformative year for bilateral relations, driven by Slovakia’s growing role in India’s economic engagement with the EU. Recent visits by ministerial delegations and business groups have further strengthened this momentum.
Strengthening People-to-People Connections
Approximately 6,000 Indians currently reside in Slovakia, including 300 students. With growing demand for Indian professionals in fields like IT and engineering, both governments are negotiating a mobility partnership to streamline the movement of skilled workers. This initiative aims to address labor shortages in Slovakia while creating new opportunities for Indian talent.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagements
During her visit, President Murmu will hold formal discussions with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico. A state banquet in her honor will celebrate the cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Key agreements are expected in defense cooperation, including potential joint manufacturing projects and military training exercises.
Key Collaborations Driving Growth
Several successful partnerships highlight the depth of India-Slovakia economic ties:
- Jaguar Land Rover (JLR): Tata Motors’ JLR operates a major manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia, employing 200 Indian professionals. Since its 2018 launch, the plant has produced 35% of JLR’s global output, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
- Tatravagonka: The Slovak rail freight company entered India in 2015 by acquiring a 26% stake in Kolkata-based Jupiter Group, enhancing India’s railway infrastructure capabilities.
- InoBat and Amara Raja Group: India’s Amara Raja holds a 10% stake in Slovak EV battery manufacturer InoBat. The two are collaborating on Slovakia’s first gigafactory, focused on sustainable energy solutions.
- Envien-Zuari Partnership: Slovak biofuel leader Envien Group and India’s Zuari Industries established an ethanol plant in Uttar Pradesh in 2023, with plans to significantly scale up production.
- Grand Power: Slovak firearms manufacturer Grand Power established a subsidiary in Tamil Nadu in 2021, aiming to produce 80,000 pistols annually once operations begin.
Slovak tech firms like MicroStep and Virtual Reality Media also contribute to India’s defense sector by supplying weather monitoring systems and advanced simulators.
Future Opportunities: AI, Nuclear Energy, and Beyond
Andrej Krupa, Innovation Advisor to the Slovak President, highlighted emerging areas for collaboration, including artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear energy, and data center development. Slovakia is eager to work with India on AI applications and digital innovation, while both nations explore joint ventures in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Auto, Pharma, and IT Sectors in Focus
The automotive industry remains a cornerstone of bilateral trade, with Slovakia—often called the “Detroit of Europe”—housing major production hubs for global carmakers. Indian pharmaceutical and IT firms are increasingly looking to Slovakia as a strategic base for accessing EU markets. Meanwhile, demand for Indian textiles and apparel continues to rise in Slovakia.
EU-India Free Trade Agreement: A Catalyst
As India and the EU work toward finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by late 2025, stronger India-Slovakia ties could play a pivotal role in shaping broader economic relations. Reduced trade barriers and enhanced cooperation frameworks would benefit businesses on both sides, fostering innovation and cross-border investment.
Conclusion
President Murmu’s visit signals a new chapter in India-Slovakia relations, built on shared economic goals and technological collaboration. By leveraging Slovakia’s access to the EU and India’s strengths in manufacturing and IT, both countries are well-positioned to drive growth across multiple sectors. With strategic partnerships already showing tangible results, this relationship sets a promising example for global cooperation in an interconnected world.