India, Czech Republic seek wider defence-manufacturing ties after Rajnath Singh-Havlicek talks
The defense minister, Rajnath Singh holds bilateral talks with Czech first deputy prime minister, Karel Havlicek, in New Delhi. (Image courtesy: pib.gov.in)
New Delhi: India and the Czech Republic agreed on Tuesday to expand defence industrial cooperation after talks between the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, and Czech first deputy prime minister, and minister of industry and trade, Karel Havlicek. The two reviewed existing manufacturing partnerships and joint ventures and agreed to strengthen cooperation through the bilateral joint defence committee (JDC), aligning future industry engagement with India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
The understanding sets out a direction for closer industrial cooperation rather than a fresh defence deal. No weapons system, procurement contract, investment figure or technology-transfer commitment was announced after the meeting.
The defence ministry said both sides welcomed their ongoing industrial collaboration and the successful establishment of several joint ventures. The leaders also discussed peace and security, emphasizing greater cooperation to maintain regional stability. They reaffirmed that India-Czech relations are rooted in historical and cultural ties, mutual trust and respect.
They reiterated that the partnership between India and the Czech Republic is based on historical and cultural ties, and shared values of mutual trust and respect.
Existing industry links underpin new push
India and the Czech Republic signed a bilateral defence cooperation memorandum in October 2003, establishing the framework for the JDC. Its seventh meeting took place in Prague in October 2025 after a five-year gap, with officials discussing industry partnerships, training and exchanges.
An industry seminar held alongside those engagements drew representatives from more than 60 Indian and Czech companies. Two memorandums of understanding were signed between Ceska Zbrojovka and Vinveli India, and between Anablade and UGVR, according to the Indian embassy in Prague. These were earlier company-level agreements, separate from Tuesday’s discussions.
The Czech Republic has an established defence manufacturing base spanning military vehicles, firearms and electronics. Tatra defence develops wheeled armoured vehicles, while Retia specializes in military and security systems. These capabilities provide scope for industrial cooperation, although neither government identified any specific platform or company selected for a new project during Tuesday’s meeting.
Czech visit includes Bengaluru, Mumbai engagements
Havlicek is visiting India from October 12 to 15 with a business delegation covering New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai. The Czech ministry of industry and trade has outlined three business forums with the confederation of Indian industry, alongside meetings with Indian ministries and companies.
His Bengaluru programme includes planned meetings with Infosys and BEML, while business-to-business discussions are scheduled in Mumbai. Separately, the Society of Indian defence manufacturers has announced an industry delegation and an India-Czech defence-industrial collaboration seminar in Prague on October 20.
Neither side has announced a date for the next joint defence committee meeting or a new defence contract resulting from the Singh-Havlicek talks.
