President Murmu invites Slovak businesses to 'Make in India', highlights India as beacon of progress

Slovakian companies have been invited to participate in the 'Make in India' initiative by President Droupadi Murmu, who emphasized that India is a beacon of development in today’s uncertain world.

On April 10, President Murmu also met with Indian employees at Jaguar Land Rover's facility and witnessed the deployment of a Land Rover Defender unit.

She arrived in Slovakia on April 9 as part of her two-nation official visit, becoming only the second Indian head of state to visit the Slovak Republic. It has been 29 years since an Indian president last traveled to Slovakia.

Speaking at the Slovakia-India Business Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Murmu noted that Slovakia is seeking diligent, qualified workers and experts from abroad to help meet its workforce demands.

She expressed confidence that Indian talent could play a vital role in Slovakia’s economic development.

President Murmu stated that India’s economy is projected to reach $5 trillion in the coming years, and partnerships with countries like Slovakia are key to achieving that goal.

“India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and Slovakia, with its strong industrial base and strategic location in Europe, presents great opportunities for deeper trade and investment ties,” she said.

“In today’s world of uncertainties, India stands out as a shining example of progress, thanks to its stable political environment and reform-oriented economic agenda, which promotes manufacturing and enhances ease of doing business. I invite Slovak companies to join our 'Make in India' initiative,” she added.

President Murmu noted that the two nations have collaborated in several sectors over the past decade, and it is now time to diversify the trade basket.

“As a key member of the European Union and a hub for automotive, defense, and high-tech industries, Slovakia stands to benefit from India’s vast consumer market, skilled workforce, and thriving startup ecosystem,” she said.

She highlighted the automotive industry as a key link between the two countries, particularly the role of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a subsidiary of Tata Motors, which has made significant investments in Slovakia—especially in Nitra, where it has operated since 2018.

This state-of-the-art facility, which manufactures models like the Land Rover Defender and Discovery, underscores Slovakia’s growing contribution to the global automotive sector.

“I appreciate the Slovak president’s role in facilitating this investment, which has further strengthened our economic partnership,” said President Murmu.

She also visited the Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover plant in Nitra, located 100 kilometers from the capital. The facility, inaugurated in October 2018, produces 150,000 vehicles annually and received €125 million in subsidies from the Slovak government.

Spanning 300,000 square meters, the plant represents the pinnacle of Slovakia’s engineering and aluminum manufacturing capabilities. Since its launch, it has produced 530,000 Defender and Discovery vehicles.

The plant employs around 4,400 people, including 800 Ukrainians, 200 Indians, and 3,300 Slovaks. Indian staff members had lined up eagerly to meet the president.

JLR Slovakia spokesperson Katarina Chlebova said, “We are very happy that the president visited our plant. The Nitra facility is the largest Indian investment in Slovakia.”

“Electrification is part of our reimagined strategy. By the end of this decade, we plan to offer at least one electric version of each JLR model,” she added.

The Nitra plant is the sole production site for the Land Rover Defender, which is exported worldwide.