• President Droupadi Murmu reached Bratislava on the final leg of her State Visit to Portugal and the Slovak Republic. 

• This is the first visit by an Indian President to the Slovak Republic in 29 years, since Shankar Dayal Sharma’s visit in 1996.

• President Mumru was extended a traditional Slovak welcome with bread and salt by a couple in folk dress and accorded a ceremonial welcome with the Guard of Honour.

• She discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and issues of shared global and regional interests with President of Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini during one-to-one meeting and delegation-level talks. 

• She highlighted the immense potential for the two countries to collaborate more closely in the rapidly expanding media, entertainment and creative economy sectors of India, including promotion of Slovakia as a filming destination and a partner in joint film production.

• Both leaders witnessed the exchange of two MoUs. The first was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India’s National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and the Slovak Business Agency, focusing on cooperation in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. 

• The second MoU, signed between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and Slovakia’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, is aimed at enhancing diplomatic training and exchanges. 

• President Murmu also held extensive discussions with Slovak Republic Prime Minister Robert Fico. 

• The two leaders agreed to further diversify and strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)