NEW DELHI/BRATISLAVA/NITRA: In an era marked by the erosion of old trade certainties and the emergence of a fragmented, multipolar global order, President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Slovakia is more than a symbolic diplomatic engagement — it’s a deliberate and assertive articulation of India’s rising geopolitical and economic ambition. Against the backdrop of the continuing fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing energy insecurity, and Europe’s scramble to reorient away from Chinese dependencies, India is positioning itself as a resilient, democratic alternative capable of co-anchoring the continent’s next economic leap.
Addressing the Slovakia-India Business Forum in Bratislava, President Murmu offered a roadmap not merely for bilateral cooperation but for a Eurasian future shaped by diversified trade routes, green technology, and digital innovation. “India is transforming — not just economically, but in how we engage with the world. We are ready to partner with like-minded nations to build sustainable, equitable, and shock-proof value chains,” she declared.
Her remarks come at a time when the legacy of Trump-era protectionist tariffs continues to unsettle global trade norms. The European Union, still struggling to mitigate supply chain disruptions exacerbated by the pandemic and sanctions on Russia, is looking eastward for stable, scalable, and ethical trade partnerships. India — with its demographic dividend, robust IT and biotech sectors, and growing green energy ecosystem — is increasingly seen as Europe’s preferred partner in this global transition.
Slovakia, with its advanced manufacturing and defense sectors, occupies a strategic node in this emerging India-Europe dynamic. President Murmu underlined the importance of co-developing industries in electric mobility, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. “Slovakia is not just a trading partner; it is a gateway to Central Europe. Together, we can lead the charge in the global transition to a sustainable and digital economy,” she said, inviting Slovak firms to invest in India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’ initiatives.
The resonance with Europe’s broader shift was underscored by a key reference to recent developments. Just weeks earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited New Delhi for the 2025 Indo-EU Strategic Summit. Her speech, hailing India as “Europe’s most trusted partner in the Indo-Pacific,” highlighted joint ambitions for green transitions and technological sovereignty. That summit yielded a landmark €10 billion Green Transition Fund and a Digital Partnership Framework — both signifying the EU’s recalibrated tilt toward India amid rising Chinese assertiveness and waning US engagement.
President Murmu’s visit thus appears not in isolation, but as a continuum of this growing Indo-European convergence. India’s trade with the EU soared to an all-time high of €127 billion in 2024, while bilateral trade with Slovakia grew by 22%, crossing €2.1 billion. Business leaders at the Forum expressed optimism that this trajectory will accelerate if today’s discussions convert into joint ventures, tech transfer agreements, and institutional partnerships.
In a symbolic extension of industrial cooperation, President Murmu and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini toured the Jaguar Land Rover factory in Bratislava. The visit was as much about electric vehicles as it was about future-ready manufacturing. “India’s EV growth is among the fastest in the world, and partnerships with Slovak innovators can help co-create the next generation of smart mobility,” President Murmu remarked during the walkthrough of the facility.
Later in the day, the President was conferred an Honoris Causa Doctorate by Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. In a deeply philosophical speech, she drew parallels between the values of Indian civilization and the teachings of Saint Constantine Cyril. “This honour is a tribute not just to my journey, but to the ideals of India — a civilization rooted in dialogue, diversity, and introspection,” she said, adding that India’s rise is not merely technological, but spiritual and ethical as well.
Earlier, the President visited a children’s art exhibition organized by the Slovak-Indian Friendship Society, which showcased paintings inspired by Indian fairy tales and mythology. A puppet show on the Ramayan, performed by the Babadlo Puppet Theater, offered a poignant reminder that cultural diplomacy often succeeds where politics hesitates. “When children in another continent draw our gods and heroes with such care, we know our friendships are not transactional, but generational,” she noted.
The day concluded with a state banquet at Bratislava Castle, where Slovak musicians performed both Indian and Slovak national anthems. In her closing toast, President Murmu reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening ties not just at the state level, but through people-to-people connections. “India offers a 21st-century partnership — one that is technologically modern, geopolitically reliable, and civilizationally grounded,” she said.
In the face of a fractured global order, India’s outreach to Central Europe is timely, calculated, and visionary. President Murmu’s visit signals that New Delhi is no longer content with being a passive partner; it is actively co-authoring the script of global economic and diplomatic realignment.
– Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; Follow via X @shahidsiddiqui
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