In an exclusive interview with Diplomatist, Rastislav Chovanec, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, shares insights into Slovakia’s evolving foreign policy priorities amidst shifting global dynamics. He outlines Slovakia’s commitment to multilateralism, regional stability, and sustainable development, highlighting its role in the European Union’s response to economic volatility, security threats, and climate change. From shared climate action goals to strengthening security partnerships, the interview offers a comprehensive look at Slovakia’s proactive engagement on the global stage and its vision for fostering inclusive and sustainable partnerships.
Diplomatist: In the face of shifting global dynamics, what are Slovakia’s primary foreign policy objectives, and how does the country navigate emerging geopolitical challenges?
Rastislav Chovanec: In the face of shifting global dynamics, Slovakia’s primary foreign policy objectives remain focused on ensuring stability, security, and prosperity. To navigate emerging geopolitical challenges, Slovakia prioritises strengthening alliances within the EU and NATO, supporting a rules-based international order through multilateral institutions like the UN, and ensuring economic security through diversified trade relationships. Furthermore, Slovakia views assisting Ukraine in defending its sovereignty as vital to European security. Slovakia’s dedication to its allies and fundamental beliefs empowers it to be a constructive force in managing global problems and promoting greater stability worldwide.
Diplomatist: As an EU member, how does Slovakia perceive the bloc’s evolving role in tackling pressing global issues like economic volatility, security threats, and climate change?
Rastislav Chovanec: As a member of the European Union, Slovakia recognises the EU’s glowingly important role in addressing critical global issues. The EU’s core responsibilities include fostering sustainable economic growth, managing inflation, and providing targeted assistance to member states facing temporary economic challenges or unforeseen crises. Slovakia benefits significantly from its integration within the Eurozone; the shared currency reduces exchange rate risks, making the country a more attractive destination for foreign investment and promoting economic growth. In terms of security, the EU needs to strengthen its defence capabilities, enhance border security, and address hybrid threats effectively. Regarding climate change, Slovakia believes the EU should continue leading the way in implementing the European Green Deal, promoting renewable energy sources, and supporting a just transition for all member states. The EU should also play a stronger role globally in promoting democracy, upholding human rights, and fostering multilateral cooperation. Slovakia is committed to shaping EU policies and strengthening the Union’s ability to address global challenges, actively engaging in EU projects and sharing its insights to achieve these aims.
Diplomatist: With your expertise in world economy, what key measures can Slovakia adopt to deepen trade and economic cooperation with India, particularly in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and energy?
Rastislav Chovanec: Slovakia recognises the significant potential for deepening economic cooperation with India. To realise this potential, Slovakia actively promotes its key industries — particularly automotive, green energy, and smart technologies — to attract Indian investors. We emphasise Slovakia’s strategic location within the EU, our attractive incentives for R&D, and our highly skilled workforce. To connect companies of the two countries, Slovakia actively participates in business forums and organises networking events for entrepreneurs. Our commitment is underscored by our current participation at the Raisina Dialogue, where the Foreign Minister is accompanied by a large business delegation, with a subsequent visit to Kolkata to re-open the honorary consulate, aimed at expanding economic reach into eastern India. Entrepreneurs from Slovakia are offering their expertise in technology, manufacturing — particularly in the automotive sector — and energy, including renewable sources, to enhance business cooperation. For instance, Slovak companies are already making significant investments and forming joint ventures in India. Notable projects include the construction of a biofuel plant in Uttar Pradesh and the development of railway manufacturing facilities in Odisha and West Bengal. Looking ahead, our priority is to simplify regulations and improve the business environment to facilitate greater success for Slovak and Indian entrepreneurs.
Diplomatist: How does Slovakia seek to strengthen its engagement with developing economies and contribute to a more inclusive global order?
Rastislav Chovanec: The Slovak Republic is committed to promoting sustainable development in developing economies through its official development assistance (ODA) programme, Slovak Aid. In line with global commitments such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Slovakia aims to contribute to international development goals while strengthening its global partnerships. The recently adopted Medium-Term ODA Strategy 2025 – 2030 prioritises reducing poverty, tackling the root causes of illegal migration, and improving living conditions in partner countries. Key focus areas include infrastructure, natural resource management, food security, healthcare, education, and good governance, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability, equality, and engaging the private sector to maximise impact. Slovak ODA focuses on cooperation with countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and East Africa, with particular attention to Ukraine, Moldova, Kenya, and Georgia. As part of this strategy, the Slovak Ministry of Education has introduced a government scholarship programme to support educational exchange. Scholarships are offered to Indian students to strengthen ties between Slovakia and India, fostering collaboration in education and contributing to shared development objectives.
Diplomatist: Given Slovakia and India’s shared interests in defence and security, do you see potential for enhanced collaboration in areas like defence technology, joint ventures, or strategic partnerships?
Rastislav Chovanec: We share longstanding defence relations with India dating back to Slovakia’s establishment in 1993, which has historically been rooted in cooperation from the time of Czechoslovakia. Our defence partnership is based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between our Ministries of Defence in 1995. Slovakia fully supports India’s initiative to modernise this MoU to reflect current strategic priorities and facilitate joint ventures, technology transfers, and practical collaboration. We also welcome India’s proposal to establish a dedicated Joint Working Group for regular dialogue and coordination and look forward to receiving India’s concrete proposals.
Slovakia’s defence industry has a strong tradition and offers reliable, high-quality solutions across sectors such as artillery systems, armoured vehicles, ammunition production, demining technologies, virtual reality simulators, chemical detection equipment, cybersecurity solutions, aircraft maintenance, optical fibre communications, and recovery vehicles. Slovak companies have been trusted partners for India for over three decades. A notable example is the collaboration between Virtual Reality Media (VRM) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to develop and commission advanced simulators for the Dornier Do-228 aircraft, enhancing training for the Indian Armed Forces.
Slovak companies regularly participate in Indian tenders and industry events — and also during Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár last year’s attendance at the Raisina Dialogue 2024, an accompanying business delegation participated in parallel business events, with a significant representation from the defence and security sectors.
Slovakia is deepening defence ties with India through specialised training programmes, including pilot training with advanced simulators at Slovak Air Force bases and CBRN preparedness at its Defence Training and Testing Centre. As part of EU- India security cooperation, Slovakia hosted a two-week CBRN-E risk management course for 16 Indian experts in 2023, enhancing their capabilities in handling complex threats. Additionally, Slovakia actively supports EU-India collaboration in cybersecurity, counterterrorism, multilateralism, and international security, leveraging its expertise to tackle shared global challenges.
Diplomatist: With the Indo-Pacific at the heart of geopolitical discourse, how does Slovakia view its strategic significance, and what role can it play in fostering stability and cooperation in the region?
Rastislav Chovanec: The Slovak government’s 2024–2027 manifesto identifies the Indo-Pacific as a strategic priority, reflecting the region’s role as a global economic and geopolitical hub. Slovakia’s emerging strategy aligns with the EU’s Indo-Pacific framework, aiming to contribute to stability, economic growth, and multilateral cooperation in the region. India, as a key democratic partner, holds a central place in this vision. Slovakia seeks to enhance its engagement with India and other Indo-Pacific nations by focusing on areas such as innovation, green technologies, and advanced manufacturing. Collaboration on climate action and sustainable development is also a priority, addressing shared challenges like energy transition and environmental resilience. In this context, Slovak company MicroStep-MIS has been successfully operating for years in water management and meteorology, specialising in monitoring systems and building resilience to climate-related hazards, with a strong presence in India through its offices in Bangalore and Dimapur.
Additionally, we recognise the region’s technological leadership and aims to foster partnerships in research, cybersecurity, and AI. Security cooperation is another cornerstone of Slovakia’s approach. The stability of the region is critical for global trade routes and supply chains, which directly impact Slovakia’s export-driven economy. Slovakia also supports EU-led initiatives promoting maritime security, counterterrorism, and de-escalation of regional tensions. By aligning its efforts with the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy and strengthening ties with democratic partners like India, Japan, and South Korea, Slovakia aims to contribute to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific while advancing its own economic resilience and strategic interests.
Diplomatist: As Slovakia advances its renewable energy and sustainability agenda, where do you see scope for collaboration with India in clean energy innovation and climate action?
Rastislav Chovanec: As Slovakia advances in renewable energy and sustainability, it can offer valuable expertise in innovative technologies, creating significant potential for collaboration that aligns with India’s ambitious climate and energy goals. Slovakia has successfully implemented Hydrogen Transport Hubs and tested green hydrogen applications in heavy vehicles like buses. This experience can support India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission through technology transfer and joint ventures.
In solar energy, we have been expanding our photovoltaic capacity, supported by EU funding, and are keen to collaborate with India, a global leader in solar deployment. Joint projects could focus on hybrid systems and off-grid solutions tailored to rural areas. Additionally, Slovakia’s advanced wastewater treatment technologies offer scalable solutions for India’s urban water management challenges, with Slovak companies already active throughout the South Asia region. Research cooperation is another area of synergy. Slovak universities are collaborating with Indian institutions on renewable energy R&D, including smart grids and autonomous mobility. These partnerships foster innovation and strengthen bilateral ties.
Diplomatist: As the EU and India strive for a stronger strategic partnership, how can Slovakia serve as a bridge to enhance cooperation in trade, technology, and global governance?
Rastislav Chovanec: Through historical links, economic investments, and scientific cooperation, Slovakia enables India’s deeper interaction with Europe while fostering innovation and shared prosperity. Historical ties underpin this relationship. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1938 visit to Bratislava with his daughter Indira Gandhi — the future PM of India — is commemorated by a memorable plaque that symbolises the enduring friendship and mutual respect that continue to shape our relations.
The strategic location and shared values make Slovakia a vital link to the EU, offering Indian businesses seamless access to the common market as a member of the EU, Eurozone, and Schengen Area. While Slovakia values all forms of engagement and dialogue, economic ties hold particular importance. Our strong tradition in engineering and machinery has attracted Indian investments in sectors such as automotive manufacturing. Additionally, Slovak-based outsourcing companies play a significant role in connecting the two economies. Firms specialising in IT services rely on Indian expertise for high-value tasks like AI, cybersecurity, and software development. These collaborations not only generate skilled employment for Indian professionals but also can serve Indian innovative companies seeking a technological innovation hub in Europe.
Slovakia and India also partner in research and advanced technologies, with Slovak universities and R&D institutions collaborating with Indian students and professionals on cutting-edge projects. In space, the partnership began with the launch of Slovakia’s first satellite, skCUBE, aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation’s PSLV rocket in 2017. Building on this, the Slovak Space Office has proposed a detailed partnership with ISRO, and as an ESA member, Slovakia is poised to facilitate joint space technology initiatives between India and the EU.
Diplomatist: What key insights have you gained from this year’s Raisina Dialogue?
Rastislav Chovanec: Attending Raisina Dialogue 2025 was a rewarding experience, and I appreciated PM Narendra Modi’s thoughtful opening remarks. His focus on the role of India as a link in global politics and an anchor of stability amidst growing tensions was particularly striking. It reflected India’s increasing importance in shaping conversations on trade, security, and sustainability. Within the themes, I found the discussions on ‘Militant Mercantilism’ particularly engaging. Compared to last year’s Dialogue, I observed a noticeable shift in the global narrative toward strategic autonomy and economic nationalism, reflecting how nations are recalibrating priorities in response to geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions. These topics resonate strongly with Slovakia as we work to adapt to these challenges and explore opportunities in rapidly growing markets like India.
On the economic side, Slovakia’s participation in the CII India-Europe Business Exchange Programme was a highlight. The Slovak country session and B2B meetings co-organised by FICCI provided practical opportunities for our entrepreneurs to connect with Indian counterparts, particularly in sectors like renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing. While smaller in scale than last year, the event maintained its relevance by enabling productive discussions and creating valuable connections for future collaboration.
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