PM Modi express gratitude towards his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico for support in India-EU FTA
Bratislava, June 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico for his support in finalising the historic India-European Free Trade Agreement.
Addressing a joint press meeting in Slovakia's captial city Bratislava, PM Modi affirmed committment to ensuring early implementation of the FTA in order to help the two countries, their industries, startups and traders, avail "maximum benefits."
"I express special gratitude to the Prime Minister of Slovakia's support in finalising the India-EU FTA. We will work towards its early implementation so that industries, startups, and traders from both countries can reap maximum benefits," PM Modi said.
Furthermore, PM Modi hailed the growth in bilateral trade and economic cooperation, reflecting on the potential for further growth. He stated that the leaders discussed combining their strengths in various fields and redirecting their cooperation.
"Today, the Prime Minister and I discussed in detail how to give a new direction and new energy to our cooperation. The progress in our bilateral trade and economic cooperation is a matter of satisfaction for us. But our potential is vast. Our aspirations are even greater. Automobiles, railways, advanced manufacturing, and green technology are areas of special interest to us. Today, we combined our strengths in all these areas and took several important decisions for the benefit of the people of both countries," he said.
Meanwhile, Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico, in his press statement, lauded India's rapid economic growth, digital transformation and advances in artificial intelligence, stating that the country has outpaced many advanced nations in key sectors.
After an exchange of MoUs and joint press statements with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bratislava, Fico said Slovakia and India are linked by several common interests and expressed admiration for India's achievements across multiple fields.
"Slovak Republic and India are countries which are connected by a number of common topics. I would like to congratulate India for the fantastic results which you are achieving," Fico said.
The Slovak leader congratulated India for its progress in various sectors, particularly digitalisation and artificial intelligence.
"I congratulate for the results you have achieved in different areas. You dominate in the field of digitalisation and the use of AI. You have come so far that you are faster than many advanced countries in different parts of the world," he said.
Drawing a comparison with Europe, Fico noted that the European Union (EU) continues to face economic challenges and suggested that India's growth trajectory offers valuable lessons.
"We are struggling in the EU. What could the EU do if we could achieve 6-7 per cent growth?" Fico stated.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see a European leader acknowledging India's digital and AI growth. We've indeed leapfrogged in many areas. But let's also remember - trade deals must benefit our local MSMEs and startups, not just big corporates. Fingers crossed for the fine print! 🤞
"We are struggling in the EU. What could the EU do if we could achieve 6-7 per cent growth?" - This speaks volumes. India's growth story is real, and it's good to see PM Modi leveraging our rising stature globally. But implementation is key - our ease of doing business still needs work.
As someone watching from the UK, it's impressive how India is strategically building partnerships beyond the usual suspects. The focus on green technology and advanced manufacturing shows a clear vision. But let's see if Slovakia can actually deliver on its promises with the EU bureaucracy.
While I appreciate the diplomatic progress, I hope our government is equally focused on domestic manufacturing and job creation. Trade deals are great, but they should not come at the cost of local industries. Remember the concerns with the RCEP? Let this be a balanced deal.
Kudos to PM Modi for strengthening these ties. The mention of railways and green technology is promising - our railway modernization desperately needs European tech. But I wish we had more specifics on timelines and tangible benefits for the common citizen.
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