Ljubljana: India and Slovenia are looking to expand cooperation in science, research and education, with Ambassador of India to Slovenia, Mr Amit Narang, holding discussions with H.E. Dr Borut Roncevic, Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Slovenia, in September. The meeting explored the scope for further bilateral engagement in areas centred on knowledge, research and education, reflecting a shared emphasis on innovation and academic excellence.

The Embassy of India in Slovenia said the discussions provided an opportunity to examine the strong potential for further cooperation between the two countries in science, research and education. “India and Slovenia share a strong commitment to knowledge, innovation and excellence in education and research,” the Embassy stated, adding that the two sides looked forward to building meaningful partnerships that contribute to shared progress and mutual benefit.

The latest engagement followed a meeting in July between Mr Narang and Mr Tone Kajzer, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in Ljubljana. During the meeting, the Ambassador handed over a personal letter of congratulations from External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to Mr Kajzer on his appointment as Foreign Minister.

The discussions with Mr Kajzer were described by the Embassy as productive and wide-ranging, focusing on specific steps to elevate the warm and friendly ties between India and Slovenia into a mutually beneficial partnership for the future. The meeting also underlined the continuing political engagement between the two countries as they explore avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation.

“India and Slovenia share a strong commitment to knowledge, innovation and excellence in education and research.”

The diplomatic exchanges have followed Mr Kajzer’s appointment as Slovenia’s Foreign Minister. In June, Dr S Jaishankar congratulated Mr Kajzer and expressed his willingness to work together. In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said: “Congratulations to Tone Kajzer on his appointment as Foreign Minister of Republic of Slovenia. Looking forward to work together.”

The sequence of meetings reflects an active period of diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Ljubljana, with political dialogue complemented by discussions on education, science and research. The emphasis on these fields offers scope for institutional partnerships and greater interaction between the two countries’ academic and research communities, while the meetings at the ministerial level provide a political framework for taking bilateral cooperation forward.

For India and Slovenia, the current engagement brings together two strands of the relationship: high-level political dialogue and practical cooperation in knowledge-driven sectors. With education, science, research and innovation featuring prominently in recent discussions, the two sides are seeking areas where existing ties can be translated into partnerships with tangible and lasting benefits.