Bratislava, June 13: Preparations are in full swing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Slovakia. India’s Ambassador to Slovakia, Apurva Srivastava, stated that this visit could serve as a gateway to Europe for India, particularly regarding the European Union Free Trade Agreement (EU-FTA). During discussions, she highlighted Slovakia’s perspective on India’s increasing global role and economic technology.
“Slovakia is a significant country in Central Europe. If you consider its position, it can be crucial for Indian companies as a gateway to Europe. The technology here is essential for us. The EU-FTA opens up vast possibilities, and areas for collaboration have expanded,” she remarked.
Regarding Slovakia’s view on India’s growing global influence and economic technology, Ambassador Srivastava noted, “There is immense respect for India in Slovakia. They acknowledge that India is the fourth-largest economy, and our market and startup ecosystem make them eager to partner with us.”
On India’s role in the Indo-Pacific, she mentioned that Slovakia launched its Indo-Pacific strategy in December 2025, emphasizing the importance of enhancing trade, technology, and political relations in the region. Thus, India plays a significant role in this strategy.
She also shared that the Indian community in Slovakia has seen substantial growth over the past two to three years, with around 11,000 Indians currently residing there. Approximately 500 Indian students are studying at various universities, representing our culture. Indian cuisine has gained popularity, and local universities are keen to collaborate with Indian institutions. Announcements during this visit are expected to include institutional partnerships, with a steady increase in Indian students anticipated.
Discussing Indian culture, yoga, and Ayurveda, she noted that yoga and Ayurveda are widely practiced in Slovakia. Yoga studios are commonly found, and people travel to Kerala in India for Ayurvedic treatments. Slovakia has its own water therapy, which is being integrated with Ayurveda. While there is already significant interest, there are even more opportunities to promote these practices further.
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