India and Slovakia Strengthen Defense, Cybersecurity, Others
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Slovak PM Robert Fico concurred on enhancing collaboration in defense, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and connectivity, recognizing these sectors as essential components of the expanding bilateral relationship.
The two leaders highlighted the significance of enhancing defense and security collaboration and consented to promote ongoing consultations and exchanges among their respective defense agencies.
They decided to investigate possibilities for improved teamwork in defense technologies, capacity enhancement, research and development, and defence industrial partnerships.
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In this regard, the leaders endorsed the signing of the Letter of Intent concerning Defense Cooperation, stating it would promote beneficial partnerships in the defense industry.
Regarding cybersecurity, the leaders concurred to enhance collaboration in safeguarding critical information infrastructure and in preventing and combating cybercrime, while advocating for an open, secure, accessible, stable, interoperable, resilient, and peaceful digital environment.
Acknowledging new technological challenges, PM Modi and PM Fico affirmed their dedication to assisting one another in protecting information technology systems from upcoming quantum threats to cryptography, including readiness for post-quantum security changes. They observed that this collaboration would be enhanced by the Memorandum of Cooperation established in the areas of critical infrastructure protection and post-quantum cryptography.
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The leaders also emphasized connectivity as a key aspect of the bilateral relationship. They highlighted the significance of fostering joint ventures, transferring technology, driving innovation, and developing skills in the automotive and railway industries to boost competitiveness and create new job opportunities.
The two parties recognized Slovakia’s potential as a Central European transport center and India’s extensive manufacturing capabilities to enhance trade, investment, and connectivity. They further promoted the exploration of direct air links between India and Slovakia to enhance increasing economic, business, and interpersonal exchanges.
India and Slovakia signed a Letter of Intent for defense cooperation focused on enhancing joint development, joint production, and collaboration between the defense sectors of both nations, representing a major advancement in reinforcing bilateral strategic relations.
The declaration was issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his shared press conference with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava.
Emphasizing the expanding strategic alliance between the two countries, PM Modi remarked that collaboration in defense was a “testament” to significant mutual trust and shared strategic outlook.
“Our defence cooperation is a testament to our deep mutual trust and strategic convergence. I am pleased that we have signed a Letter of Intent in this important sector today. This will give new momentum to joint development, joint production, and cooperation between defense industries,” the Prime Minister said.
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Fico, while speaking, also conveyed his eagerness for cooperation in the area of defense.
“I am also interested in cooperation in the field of the defense industry,” the Slovak PM said.
PM Modi’s trip to Slovakia marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since the nation gained independence in 1993.