India, Slovakia elevate ties to comprehensive partnership: MEA

Bratislava, June 16 (IANS) In a landmark diplomatic achievement, India and Slovakia have elevated their bilateral relationship to the status of a “Comprehensive Partnership,” with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Bratislava will provide renewed momentum to cooperation across diverse sectors.

The elevation of ties came during the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country’s independence in 1993. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive delegation-level talks with his Slovak counterpart, Prime Minister Robert Fico, at the historic Bratislava Castle, following which the two leaders witnessed the exchange of 11 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

Briefing the media in Bratislava, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George emphasised the transformative potential of the upgraded relationship, stating that the visit reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening ties with the European nation.

“The visit reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Slovakia and will provide a renewed momentum to bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors. Elevation of the relationship to a comprehensive partnership will take the bilateral relationship to a new level, strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and explore new avenues for deepening cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally,” George told reporters.

The MEA Secretary was addressing the media following a series of high-level engagements that included Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini at the Presidential Palace, where the Indian leader was conferred Slovakia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the White Double Cross (First Class).

Building on the historic nature of this visit and their shared commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation, the Prime Minister Modi and his counterpart agreed to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership between the Republic of India and the Slovak Republic.

The Comprehensive Partnership aims to take bilateral relations to a new level, strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and explore new avenues for deepening cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Recognising the growing geopolitical, economic and technological importance of the Indo-Pacific, the two leaders acknowledged the value of a stronger partnership between India and Slovakia in support of mutually beneficial cooperation, regional connectivity, open international trade, freedom of navigation, peaceful resolution of disputes and a rules-based international order.

Both leaders underscored the importance of regular high-level exchanges and sustained political dialogue, and agreed to enhance exchanges of delegations at all levels.

The two sides also agreed to enhance parliamentary exchanges, contacts and cooperation with a view to promoting greater mutual understanding and sharing of legislative experiences and best practices.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core, and to a rules-based international order, while supporting comprehensive reforms of multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to make them more representative, inclusive, effective and reflective of contemporary geopolitical realities.

The leaders stressed the urgent need to expand the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories. In this context, India appreciated Slovakia’s continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.

The two leaders also agreed to continue consultations and coordination on their respective candidacies in international organisations and to exchange views and cooperate closely in global forums, including the United Nations. The two leaders also discussed the importance of upholding the global nonproliferation architecture.

Slovakia reaffirmed its constructive approach to India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

–IANS

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