Slovak Foreign Minister Blanar: EU is not asking too much from India, it is about partnership. Special india news

Last updated:June 19, 2026, 16:30 IST

As tariff tensions reshape global commerce, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia is looking to India as a stable, long-term economic partner in key sectors.

It is not every day that an Indian Prime Minister reaches Bratislava. In fact, Narendra Modi’s visit to Slovakia was the first of its kind, and it came with all the expected bells and whistles: high-level meetings with Prime Minister Robert Fico and President Peter Pellegrini, upgrading of ties to a comprehensive partnership, new defense cooperation gestures, trade outreach and even Slovakia’s top civilian honour, the Order of the White Double Cross (First Class).

But beyond the optics and ceremony, what does this reset actually mean in relationships? In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said the visit has laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation in defence, technology, advanced manufacturing and energy. He rejected suggestions that NATO membership would hamper defense ties with India, supported stronger India-EU economic engagement, and argued that both Bratislava and New Delhi could play a constructive role in supporting diplomacy on Ukraine. On the Middle East, Blanar welcomed the US-Iran memorandum, stressing the importance of the security of global energy supplies and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

Why did it take more than three decades for an Indian Prime Minister to visit Slovakia?

Our relations formally began in 1993, but our association goes back much further through trade and earlier contacts. Over the years, we have built a stable, mutually beneficial partnership, based on political dialogue, economic cooperation and growing people-to-people ties.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit is indeed a culmination of that continued engagement. It follows a series of high-level exchanges, including the visit of President Draupadi Murmu to Slovakia in April 2025 and the visit of President Peter Pellegrini to India earlier this year. We see this as an important milestone and a springboard to deepen cooperation in various fields.

Which sector do you expect to see the greatest growth as a result of this visit: technology, energy, or manufacturing?

It is difficult to identify any one, as these areas are increasingly interconnected. That said, we see particularly strong potential at the intersection of technology and advanced manufacturing.

As Slovakia is strengthening its position as an automotive and industrial hub in Europe, integrating India’s world-class digital innovation and software capabilities into our manufacturing lines presents a natural partnership.

Additionally, as both countries move towards a green economy, energy technologies such as green hydrogen and battery storage will be important. So, rather than leading in any one area, we see these as complementary pillars shaping the future of our partnership.

Speaking of defence, has there been any meaningful progress on defense cooperation with India, or does NATO alignment limit how far this relationship can go?

We are seeing real momentum in defense ties both at the strategic and industrial levels. The planned Letter of Intent between our Defense Ministries is an important step, it sets out a clear roadmap for cooperation in technology, R&D and procurement, and may ultimately lead to a comprehensive inter-governmental agreement on military cooperation.

There is already a long history of cooperation between the Slovak and Indian defense industries, and this will help unlock new opportunities. Slovakia has been providing sophisticated solutions tailored to India’s defense sector needs for many years, and Slovak companies have proven themselves to be reliable and technologically advanced partners.

As far as NATO is concerned, we do not see it as a limitation. Today’s security challenges are global, from cyber to space and critical infrastructure. In many of these areas, the interests of India and NATO countries are intertwined. Therefore, the focus is on strengthening cooperation where appropriate and building a practical, forward-looking partnership.

What about the differences? During your conversations with PM Modi, were there any areas where India and Slovakia disagreed? How were those differences addressed?

First, our relationship with India is based on mutual respect, which allows for open and honest dialogue, including in areas where our viewpoints may differ.

This is natural given our different geographical locations and strategic contexts. But what is important is that we have a mature conversation where such differences are discussed constructively.

At the same time, there is strong alignment on key principles, particularly the importance of diplomacy, respect for international law and adherence to the UN Charter as the basis for lasting peace.

India-EU FTA has been concluded but not yet in force. Are smaller EU economies like Slovakia in danger of being left behind once it comes into force?

It would be wrong to assume that the EU’s smaller economies will be left behind. In contrast, Slovakia actually expects to gain, not lose, from the agreement.

We may be small in size, but we are a highly open, export-driven and industrialized economy, which positions us well as a partner for India’s growing global presence.

Elevating our relations to a comprehensive partnership during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bratislava reflects that ambition. Once the FTA is in place, it will open up new opportunities for both sides and improve access to each other’s markets, especially in sectors such as automotive, where Slovakia remains the world’s largest producer of cars per capita.

The Ukraine war has had a direct impact on Slovakia. Did that conversation figure prominently in your discussions with PM Modi? And do you believe that Bratislava and Delhi can jointly play a meaningful role in diplomacy and de-escalation?

Undoubtedly, the war in Ukraine is a major concern for Slovakia as it directly affects our security environment. While our discussions with PM Modi primarily focused on strengthening the New Comprehensive Partnership and enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, innovation, defense and people-to-people contacts, it was natural that we also exchanged views on Ukraine and broader global security issues.

Our position is clear: a lasting solution cannot come through military means alone. We support diplomatic efforts toward a just and sustainable peace in line with international law and the United Nations Charter, and believe that negotiations should resume when conditions are conducive. We also believe that Europe should be directly involved and more active in discussions related to European security, as the consequences of this war will be felt primarily on our continent.

As far as Slovakia and India are concerned, neither of us can determine the outcome of the conflict, but both can play a constructive role in dialogue and de-escalation. India is an increasingly influential global actor with an important voice in international affairs, while Slovakia offers a leading European perspective. Although Slovakia and India cannot alone decide the outcome of the peace talks, together we can contribute to keeping the diplomacy alive.

At the same time, Slovakia continues to support Ukraine in practical ways, particularly in energy resilience and civil infrastructure, while also supporting initiatives that move us closer to peace and long-term stability in Europe.

Speaking of Europe, which is still struggling to fully diversify away from Russian energy, don’t you think the EU is demanding too much from countries like India while making its own agreements?

Europe has taken significant and, frankly, costly steps to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, and this transition is still ongoing. The EU has reduced Russia’s share in its gas mix from 45% to about 12%, implemented a blanket ban on coal, and codified a timeline for phasing out remaining gas imports.

At the same time, we strongly believe that energy security is a sovereign priority. Countries like India have their own economic realities and development needs and they must be respected.

Therefore, instead of seeing it as one sector demanding too much from the other, the focus should be on partnerships. Be it green hydrogen, renewable energy, or more flexible supply chains, there is real scope for India and the EU to work together in a way that supports both energy security and the broader transition.

Trump’s tariff threats are creating uncertainty in global trade, was this discussed in your talks and how could it impact Slovakia’s trade relations with partners like India?

Yes, global trade uncertainty and rising protectionism came up in our discussion. For an export-driven economy like Slovakia, these changes are closely monitored. They also reinforce the need to diversify partnerships and build stronger relationships with trusted partners and India is clearly one of them.

Our turnover has already exceeded €1.5 billion in recent years, and we see further potential, especially in areas such as technology, innovation and flexible supply chains. Strengthening this relationship helps build a more stable, rules-based economic foundation, even as global trade becomes more unpredictable.

Now with the US-Iran memorandum, do you see the risks around the Strait of Hormuz diminishing, or does Europe still remain vulnerable to potential energy and shipping disruptions?

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global energy choke point. Although Slovakia does not import oil or gas directly through it, we are part of the broader European energy market, so any disruption will still be felt through higher prices, transportation costs and macroeconomic pressures.

We welcome the US-Iran memorandum and hope it will reduce tensions in the region and create space for further dialogue.

At the same time, the focus in Europe is on preparedness, strengthening coordination between EU member states, diversifying energy sources and routes, and maintaining adequate strategic reserves. Ensuring freedom of navigation and the stability of global energy supplies remains a key priority for us.

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