New Delhi, Feb 10 (Agency) India and the Central European nation of Slovakia held Foreign Office Consultations here today, during which the two sides reviewed bilateral engagements and exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the Ukraine conflict. The Indian side at the talks was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), in the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Slovakian side was led by Michal Pavúk, Director General for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia. India and Slovakia are celebrating 30 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.
Both countries share a robust bilateral relationship, and have regular exchanges at both political and official levels. Trade between India and Slovakia has reached new highs in recent years, despite the adverse effects of the pandemic, an official statement said. “The FOC provided an opportunity for reviewing bilateral engagements and for exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including developments in the neighbourhoods of India and Slovakia, EU, Ukraine conflict, India’s Presidency of G20 and cooperation in multilateral fora, and UNSC reforms. Both sides also discussed furthering relations in sectors such as trade and investments, health and pharmaceuticals, S&T, defence, and cultural linkages,” it added. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at mutually convenient dates in Bratislava. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said: “6th India-Slovakia FOC held in New Delhi today. “Co-chaired by Secretary West @SanjayVermalFS & DG Political Affairs Michal Pavúk. “Discussions covered bilateral, regional & multilateral issues including political, economic, consular, P2P ties, UNSC reform, Ukraine & #G20India.”