India continues to emerge as a beacon of stability and progress in a world marked by growing uncertainties, as reaffirmed by President of India, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, during her recent address at the Slovakia-India Business Forum. With a vision set on transforming India into a Rs. 4,30,75,000 crore (US$ 5 trillion) economy, President Murmu extended an invitation to Slovakian businesses to actively participate in the "Make in India" initiative, opening new doors for bilateral trade, investment, and technological collaboration.

While underlining India’s growth momentum, President Murmu projected the country as a shining example of consistent economic expansion, robust industrial capabilities, and resilient governance. She pointed out that India is determined to establish strong partnerships with nations like Slovakia that share similar values of development and global cooperation. The platform was used to reiterate that India’s growth story, even in an uncertain geopolitical and economic climate, continues to shine through with opportunities and reliability.

At the core of the dialogue was the automotive sector, which has been an integral part of India-Slovakia relations, especially due to the prominent presence of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a subsidiary of Tata Motors, in Slovakia. JLR's Nitra plant, a landmark investment in the region, has stood out as an example of successful foreign collaboration. Operational since 2018, the state-of-the-art plant has manufactured over 530,000 vehicles, employed more than 4,400 professionals, and remained at the forefront of automotive excellence.

During her visit to the JLR facility in Nitra, President Murmu interacted with Indian staff, symbolising the growing cultural and corporate ties between India and Slovakia. The Slovakian government’s support through a Rs. 1,219 crore (€ 125 million) aid package for the Nitra plant played a significant role in facilitating this collaboration. Spread over 3,00,000 square metres, the facility is a benchmark in aluminium manufacturing and engineering expertise in Europe, producing top-tier models such as the Land Rover Discovery and the globally exported Defender.

One of the most crucial developments shared during her visit was the future electrification strategy of JLR, which aligns with both countries’ environmental and industrial visions. The commitment to develop at least one electric vehicle (EV) per model line before the decade ends reflects a mutual goal of sustainable innovation and long-term economic transformation. The Defender, produced exclusively at the Nitra plant, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping this electric mobility future.

The President's remarks and visits underscore India's aspiration to build strategic, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnerships that resonate with the country's evolving global stature. Her statements also re-emphasised India’s growing influence in global automotive manufacturing, driven by its technological prowess, policy support under Make in India, and its industrial evolution.

The Slovakia-India Business Forum served as a crucial platform to explore diversified cooperation areas, such as smart manufacturing, green technology, energy efficiency, and advanced electronics, further amplifying the commitment to a stronger economic and technological partnership. President Murmu’s speech was a clear reminder that India's trajectory towards becoming a Rs. 4,30,75,000 crore economy will be heavily supported by international collaborations like these.

India’s leadership in manufacturing is further bolstered by the Make in India initiative, which has already seen significant traction across sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, and defence. Through active engagements with countries like Slovakia, India is aiming not just to invite investment, but to build innovation-led industrial ecosystems, with a strong emphasis on local and global sustainability goals.

With Slovakia’s strategic location in Europe, a robust industrial base, and its openness to global partnerships, the possibilities for deeper trade and investment relations with India are immense. President Murmu’s outreach is expected to inspire Slovak companies to explore opportunities in sectors ranging from clean energy and mobility to infrastructure and IT services.

The focus on the Nitra plant as a case study of successful collaboration is symbolic of the broader ambition India holds in its international industrial engagement, particularly as JLR expands into electrification and cutting-edge automotive technologies. As the world pivots toward more resilient and sustainable economic systems, India's steady rise offers both inspiration and opportunity for nations like Slovakia.

This engagement between India and Slovakia highlights a strategic shift towards forging global economic partnerships rooted in shared progress, technological development, and industrial innovation. With such proactive leadership and vision, India stands poised to be not just a participant, but a leader in the global economy, navigating uncertainties with resilience, purpose, and collaboration.

As the President of India, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, concluded her visit, she left a resounding message for the global business community: India is ready, willing, and able to lead and grow together with the world, and every partnership is a step closer to its Rs. 4,30,75,000 crore (US$ 5 trillion) economy dream.

This significant outreach by the President reflects the strategic intent of India to elevate its presence in the global manufacturing map, and strengthen diplomatic and trade relations through high-level business forums and on-ground collaborations. The Make in India initiative is not just a domestic growth story, but a global call to innovate and invest in India’s future.

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