Indian Diaspora, Slovak Artists Give PM Modi Grand Welcome in Historic Slovakia Visit

Bratislava, June 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the Indian diaspora and Slovak artists upon his arrival in Bratislava on Sunday evening for a historic two-day State visit to Slovakia — the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Central European nation since its independence in 1993.

The visit marks a significant milestone in India-Slovakia relations and has generated considerable excitement among members of the Indian community as well as Slovak cultural groups, many of whom described the occasion as memorable and deeply meaningful.

As Prime Minister Modi arrived at the Grand Hotel River Park in Bratislava, chants of “Modi, Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” echoed through the venue, reflecting the enthusiasm of the Indian diaspora gathered to greet him.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by Slovakia’s Foreign Minister, Juraj Blanar, and accorded traditional Slovak hospitality through the ceremonial offering of bread and salt — an age-old custom symbolising prosperity, friendship, respect and protection.

According to Slovak tradition, distinguished guests are greeted with a loaf of bread representing abundance and a small dish of salt symbolising goodwill and lasting friendship.

The arrival ceremony was further enriched by vibrant cultural performances. A renowned children’s folk ensemble from the Myjava region performed traditional Slovak dances, while the celebrated Lucnica Ensemble presented a rendition of India’s national song, “Vande Mataram,” drawing appreciation from the Prime Minister.

Members of the Lucnica Ensemble said they felt honoured to perform before the Indian leader.

Damonika, one of the performers, said, “Today we sang ‘Vande Mataram’ for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was a very special experience.”

Another performer, Nina, said the group had prepared extensively for the occasion.

“It was beautiful and unforgettable. The Prime Minister appreciated our pronunciation and preparation. We enjoyed every moment and are grateful for the opportunity,” she said.

The cultural welcome also featured a spiritual performance by the Slovak musical group Mahadeva Kirtan Projekt, whose founder and drummer, Marek Zilinec, expressed gratitude for being invited to perform.

“Our band is called Mahadeva Kirtan Project. It is a great honour for us to sing for Prime Minister Modi. We are thankful to the Indian Embassy in Slovakia for this opportunity,” he said.

For members of the Indian diaspora, the visit represented an emotional moment and a source of immense pride.

Rajendra Prasad, an Indian community member in Bratislava, became emotional while recounting his meeting with the Prime Minister.

“My eyes were filled with emotion and my heart with pride. I had the opportunity to shake hands with Prime Minister Modi. I feel truly blessed and honoured,” he said.

Another diaspora member, Nitin Patel, praised the Prime Minister’s work ethic and leadership.

“I never imagined that I would meet the Prime Minister so closely. I was deeply impressed by his nature and dedication. He has worked continuously for 12 years without taking a single day’s leave,” Patel remarked.

Chirag, another Indian resident in Slovakia, described the visit as historic.

“It is wonderful that the Prime Minister of India has come to Slovakia for the first time. We hope this visit will strengthen ties and help address issues faced by Indians living here,” he said.

Sagar, another member of the community, echoed similar sentiments.

“We are extremely happy. For the first time, the Prime Minister of our country has come to Slovakia. Meeting him and shaking hands with him was a memorable experience,” he said.

Soon after his arrival, Prime Minister Modi took to social media platform X to express optimism about the visit.

“Reached Bratislava. This visit provides an opportunity to deepen India-Slovakia relations and explore new avenues of cooperation. Looking forward to productive meetings with President Pellegrini and Prime Minister Fico,” he wrote.

The Ministry of External Affairs also highlighted the significance of the visit. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the visit marks a historic milestone in bilateral ties and is expected to open new avenues for partnership across sectors.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Slovakia after concluding the first leg of his European tour in Nice, France. During his stay in Bratislava, he is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and meet President Peter Pellegrini.

The discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, automobile manufacturing, railway infrastructure, technology and innovation.

The visit follows growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries, including President Droupadi Murmu’s State visit to Slovakia in 2025 and President Pellegrini’s participation in the AI Impact Summit in India earlier this year.

With strong enthusiasm from the Indian community and warm cultural gestures from Slovakia, Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit is set to further strengthen the foundations of India-Slovakia relations and usher in a new chapter of cooperation between the two nations.