Slovakia Honours PM Modi with Top Civilian Award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Slovakia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the White Double Cross (First Class), during his visit to Bratislava. The recognition marks the 33rd international honour conferred on him by a foreign nation.

Award Dedicated to India

Expressing gratitude after the ceremony, PM Modi thanked the people and government of Slovakia. He said the award belongs to the 1.4 billion people of India and dedicated it to the enduring friendship between India and Slovakia.

Leaders Hold Key Talks

The honour followed PM Modi’s meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava. The two leaders discussed ways to unlock the untapped potential of bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation across sectors.

Counter-Terrorism Push

India and Slovakia announced the formation of a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. Both sides also agreed to establish a Consular Dialogue mechanism to improve cooperation on consular matters.

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Migration, aimed at facilitating the movement of professionals and skilled workers between India and Slovakia.

Defence Cooperation Expanded

A Letter of Intent on Defence Cooperation was also signed, paving the way for joint development, joint production, and closer collaboration between the defence industries of both nations.

Focus on Technology and Education

Several agreements were concluded in areas including digital technologies, higher education, research, and audio-visual creation, reflecting a broader push to deepen bilateral engagement.

AI Chair Announced

In a significant academic initiative, India and Slovakia announced the establishment of the first-ever Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair in Artificial Intelligence at the Technical University of Košice, aimed at promoting research and knowledge exchange in emerging technologies.