Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Slovakia for an official visit, becoming the first Indian leader to visit the central European country since its independence from Czechoslovakia in 1993.

The visit aims to bolster bilateral ties in trade, investment, automobile and railway manufacturing, according to India's External Affairs Ministry, which announced the trip last week.

Diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Bratislava were established over 30 years ago after the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Modi landed in the capital Bratislava on Sunday evening for a three-day stay. He was received by Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. The welcome included the traditional Slovak ceremony of offering bread and salt.

A rendition of India's national song "Vande Mataram" was performed by the Lucnica Ensemble. Modi was also greeted by members of the Indian diaspora, reported Indian news agency ANI.

"This visit represents an opportunity to deepen relations between India and Slovakia and to explore new possibilities for cooperation," Modi wrote on X after arriving from Nice, where he held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Indian leader is scheduled to meet Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini and Prime Minister Robert Fico. "I look forward to constructive negotiations," he said about the planned talks.

Modi is expected to return to France on Tuesday to participate in the G7 Summit in Evian.

Source: www.dw.com