India and Slovakia on Monday announced the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation against terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Slovakia.
In a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the two leaders strongly condemned the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and called for greater international cooperation to combat terrorism.
The leaders unequivocally denounced the attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, and stressed the need for a unified global response to terrorism. They agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation through the newly established Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and enhance collaboration in international forums, including the United Nations.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to taking strong and decisive action against terrorists and terrorist organisations, including entities designated under the United Nations Security Council’s 1267 Sanctions Committee. They also emphasised the importance of holding perpetrators, organisers, financiers, sponsors and supporters of terrorism accountable.
The joint statement underlined the need for sustained international efforts to combat terrorism and called for the early finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) within the United Nations framework.
The leaders’ remarks referenced the Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists targeted civilians in the popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack triggered widespread condemnation and prompted a series of security and diplomatic measures by India.
Following the incident, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to official figures, the operation destroyed multiple terror launchpads linked to groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The military operation was followed by heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, including drone attacks and cross-border shelling. A ceasefire was eventually agreed upon on May 10 after talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of the two countries.
India also undertook a series of non-military measures in the aftermath of the attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the cessation of bilateral trade with Pakistan.
The announcement of the India-Slovakia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism marks a significant step in expanding security cooperation between the two countries and reflects growing convergence on global security challenges.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Slovakia is the first by an Indian Prime Minister in decades and is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across areas including security, trade, technology and defence cooperation.
