Slovakia has honored Prime Minister Modi with its highest honour, ‘The Order of the White Double Cross (First Class)’. This is the 33rd global honor given to Prime Minister Modi by any country. Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini gave this honor to PM Modi at a ceremony in Bratislava. This prestigious honor is given to those foreign leaders who have made significant contributions to strengthening bilateral relations with Slovakia, enhancing friendship and advancing the country’s foreign policy and global reputation.
PM Modi wrote on social media, feeling honored to receive ‘The Order of the White Double Cross (First Class)’ in Bratislava. Gratitude to the people and government of Slovakia for this honour. This honor belongs to the 140 crore people of India. I dedicate this honor to the unbreakable friendship between India and Slovakia.
Highest civil and military state honor
The Order of the White Double Cross (First Class) is the highest civil and military state honor awarded by Slovakia exclusively to foreign nationals. PM Modi is in Bratislava as part of his week-long visit to Europe. This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to this European country.
11 agreements signed
India and Slovakia on Monday resolved to take their relations to the level of comprehensive partnership and boost bilateral trade and defense cooperation. This agreement was reached after talks between PM Modi and Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico. Both the countries also signed 11 agreements to increase mutual cooperation in many areas like migration, digital technology and defence.
PM Modi and FICO also agreed to work towards implementing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. This is expected to significantly strengthen the economic relations between the two countries.
A symbol of our shared beliefs and future
PM Modi said in a statement issued in the media, we have decided to take our relations to the level of comprehensive partnership. It is a symbol of our shared beliefs, priorities and future. The purpose of this partnership is to take bilateral relations to a new level, strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and explore new ways to deepen cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
Discussion on ways to give new direction to relationships
PM Modi said that he and FICO discussed ways to give a new direction to relations. Modi and FICO also agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector to promote energy security, stability and sustainability. For this, emphasis will be laid on adopting various sources of energy including nuclear energy and geothermal energy. He said that we have limitless possibilities. Our aspirations are even bigger. Automobile, railways, manufacturing and green technology are areas of special interest for us.
PM Modi said that today we combined our strengths on all these issues and took many important decisions for the benefit of the people of both the countries. He also said that defense cooperation between India and Slovakia is a proof of deep mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two sides. After the talks between the two leaders, a letter on defense cooperation was finalized.
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