This article covers cultural cooperation between India and Slovakia, education links, Indian students in Slovakia and the Indian community there. It draws on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief on India and Slovakia, an undated document whose latest entries are from March 2026.

Cultural Exchange Programme

According to the MEA brief, current to March 2026, an Agreement on Cultural Exchange Programme (2023-2026) was signed between India and Slovakia on 4th March 2023. It was signed during the visit of Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer to India for the Raisina Dialogue 2023.

Cultural events in Slovakia

The brief states that the Embassy of India in Slovakia has regularly organised cultural events in Bratislava. Events held in the two years before the brief include a painting competition in Slovak schools, organised by the Slovak-Indian friendship society in cooperation with the Embassy, a science exhibition and events for Diwali, Holi, Rathyatra and Garba.

International Yoga Day is celebrated regularly by the Mission together with local yoga studios. The Embassy also organises regular Yoga and Ayurveda sessions on its premises.

Upanishads in Slovak

The first ever translation of the Upanishads from Sanskrit into the Slovak language was done by Mr. Robert Gafrik (Veda publications), in association with the Embassy of India. The brief notes that the translation featured in the 116th episode of Mann ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Troupes and festivals

The Indian Embassy facilitated the participation of two Slovak troupes in India:

  • the 13 member Ifju Szivek Dance Theatre Group, which took part in Balijatra at Cuttack;
  • the Slovakia Ruthenia Folk group, which took part in the 8th India international folk festival.

In the two years before the brief, the Embassy received six ICCR cultural troupes from India, which performed at various places in Slovakia:

  • Bhangra group
  • Marwar group of Rajasthan
  • Rajasthani Folk Legacy Society
  • Ghumti Gori
  • Sur Varsha
  • Lok Chhanda Group

The Minister of State for Education, Sh. Sukanta Majumdar, led the Indian delegation to Slovakia from 24-25 November 2025 for the OECD Global Forum on the Future of Education & Skills 2040. On the sidelines of the Forum, he held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Mr. Robert Zsembera, State Secretary in the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. He also visited the Slovak Technical University and the Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plant, where he interacted with the Indian professionals working there.

In the other direction, Mr. Robert Zsembera led a delegation of Slovak universities to the International Educational Conference APAIE 2025 in New Delhi from March 24-28, 2025.

Indian students in Slovakia

According to the brief, there are about 500 Indian students in Slovakia, at universities in Kosice, Bratislava and Nitra. Most of them study engineering and business management.

The Indian community

The brief estimates the NRI/OCI population in Slovakia to be close to 11000, spread across several cities. It states that there has been a considerable increase in the number of Indians in Slovakia over the last five years.

Indian workers are employed in several automotive companies in Slovakia. The brief gives the following numbers:

  • Jaguar Land Rover: 303
  • Stellantis: 889
  • Lear Corporation Seating Slovakia s.r.o.: 266
  • Vertiv Slovakia: 88
  • Motherson Automotive systems: 50

Most OCIs, numbering around 50-60, are engaged in small businesses such as groceries, garments and textiles, ethnic handicrafts and restaurants.

In December 2025, a delegation from Karnataka led by Ministers Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil and Dr. M.C. Sudhakar visited Slovakia. They visited the Stellantis Automobile Plant, held meetings with the company's management and interacted with Indian workers in the company.