India Positioned as Fastest-Growing Economies in the World: President Murmu
Bratislava: President Droupadi Murmu emphasized India's position as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world during her address at the Slovakia-India Business Forum in Bratislava on Thursday. She encouraged Slovak business leaders to capitalize on the opportunities available and turn them into tangible outcomes.
Highlighting Slovakia's robust industrial base and strategic location in Europe, President Murmu noted the potential for enhanced trade and investment relations. She pointed out that Slovakia is in need of skilled workers and professionals from abroad to address its workforce demands, expressing confidence that Indian talent could significantly contribute to Slovakia's economic development.
"India is dedicated to strengthening trade ties with Slovakia," she stated, mentioning the large business delegation accompanying her, which reflects the interest of Indian companies in exploring opportunities in Slovakia. She acknowledged a similar enthusiasm from Slovak businesses.
During her speech, President Murmu expressed gratitude to Slovak President Peter Pellegrini for his commitment to bolstering economic relations between the two nations. She remarked on India's remarkable transformation into a global leader in technology, innovation, and sustainable development, and described the Slovakia-India Business Forum as an excellent opportunity to explore synergies and foster mutually beneficial partnerships.
Earlier, President Murmu visited an exhibition featuring paintings by Slovak children, organized by the Slovak-Indian Friendship Society in collaboration with the Indian Embassy. The painting competition, titled "Beauty Hidden in Fairy Tales – India through the Eyes of Slovak Children," has been held since 2015. She also enjoyed a puppet show based on the Ramayana, presented by Lenka Mukova from the Babadlo Puppet Theatre in Presov, which has been educating children through puppetry for three decades.
Later, President Murmu attended a banquet hosted by President Pellegrini at the historic Bratislava Castle, where Slovak artists performed, including a rendition of the National Anthem, highlighting the cultural ties between the two countries. She expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality from the Slovak government and people, noting the affection for Indian culture in Slovakia, from yoga and Ayurveda to Indian cuisine, as a testament to the strong people-to-people connections. She reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening the friendship between the two nations.
On Wednesday, President Murmu engaged in fruitful discussions with President Pellegrini, reviewing various aspects of India-Slovakia relations and agreeing to enhance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. Their one-on-one and delegation-level talks included discussions on shared global and regional interests, with Indian participants including Minister of State Nimuben Bambhaniya, Members of Parliament Dhaval Patel and Sandhya Ray, along with senior officials.
President Murmu also met with Richard Rasi, the newly elected Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, congratulating him on his recent election and reaffirming India's commitment to the historic friendship between the two countries. She highlighted the important role of parliamentarians in fostering goodwill and mutual understanding, noting the existence of a Slovak-India Friendship Group in the National Council, which could facilitate knowledge and experience exchange among parliamentarians.
This visit marks the first time in nearly three decades that an Indian President has traveled to Slovakia. The two-day visit underscores the significance India places on its bilateral relations with the Slovak Republic and is expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation and new initiatives across various sectors, including defense, science and technology, and education, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
