NEW DELHI: The 9th India-Slovenia Foreign Office Consultations were held in Ljubljana. Both the countries celebrated 30 years of establishment of diplomatic relationship in 2022 and shared a strong bilateral relationship marked by regular exchanges at both political and official levels. Trade and economic activities between India and Slovenia are fast regaining pre-Covid levels.

The consultations provided an opportunity to review the progress made in the bilateral ties in the last one year despite the restrictions imposed by the Covid-pandemic. Both sides discussed the way forward in crucial sectors such as Agriculture, Health, S&T, Defense, Space, Migration and Mobility, Climate innovation and Renewable energy.

The Indian delegation was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and the Slovenian side was led by Samuel Žbogar, State Secretary for Political and Multilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia. 

India and Slovenia also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including – Afghanistan, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, European Union, United Nations, climate action, India’s G20 Presidency and International Year of Millet 2023. The re-launch of FTA negotiations and Connectivity partnership between India and EU were acknowledged as key drivers for furthering economic relations at bilateral and India-EU levels.

During the visit, Secretary (West) also called on Predrag Baković, Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Suzana Lep Simenko, Chairperson of Friendship Group of Slovenian Parliamentarians on India. He also met the other members of Friendship Group, members of Indian Community and eminent members of Slovenian community from culture and education fields.