Bratislava : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm and ceremonial welcome upon his arrival in Bratislava on Sunday, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country’s independence in 1993. The visit is being seen as a significant milestone in the growing partnership between India and Slovakia.
On arrival, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar and accorded the traditional Slovak greeting of bread and salt, a centuries-old custom symbolizing hospitality, respect, and goodwill.
Adding a cultural touch to the occasion, the renowned Lucnica Ensemble performed India’s national song “Vande Mataram” in honor of the Prime Minister. The ensemble had earlier performed the Indian national anthem during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Slovakia in 2025. Members of the group described the opportunity to perform before the Indian leader as a memorable and prestigious experience.
Prime Minister Modi also witnessed a spiritual performance by the Slovak musical group Mahadeva Kirtan Projekt. The ensemble’s founder and percussionist, Marek Zilinec, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform before the Indian Prime Minister and thanked the Embassy of India in Bratislava for facilitating the event.
The cultural welcome was further enriched by a traditional folk dance performance from Kopaniciarik, a celebrated children’s folk ensemble from Slovakia’s Myjava region, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage.
The traditional bread-and-salt ceremony holds special significance in Slovak culture. Bread symbolizes prosperity and sustenance, while salt represents friendship, value, and protection. The honor is typically reserved for distinguished guests and reflects Slovakia’s deep-rooted tradition of welcoming visitors with warmth and respect.
Members of the Indian diaspora gathered in large numbers in Bratislava to greet the Prime Minister. Modi interacted with members of the community and acknowledged their contribution to strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Slovakia. Several community members described the interaction as a proud and memorable moment.
Shortly after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi posted on social media that the visit offered an opportunity to deepen India-Slovakia relations and explore new avenues of cooperation. He also expressed his anticipation for discussions with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico.
The Prime Minister is visiting Slovakia at the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Fico. During the visit, the two sides are expected to discuss expanding cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, innovation, automobile manufacturing, railway development, and other strategic areas.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will reaffirm India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Slovakia and build upon the momentum generated by recent high-level exchanges between the two countries.