Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a fruitful meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala to discuss bilateral relations and explore new technologies and defense cooperation between the two countries. The meeting, which took place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, covered various sectors such as automobiles, climate change, and emerging technologies.
During the meeting, both leaders reviewed the existing bilateral relations and discussed potential collaborations in different areas. The Czech Prime Minister expressed his interest in long-term strategic investment, particularly in AI research, semiconductors, and electromobility. He highlighted the potential for Czech-Indian collaboration in energy, wastewater treatment, sustainable agriculture, and other sectors that contribute to a green environment.
India and the Czech Republic have maintained good economic relations, with trade between the two countries reaching over USD 3.16 billion in 2022, a significant increase from USD 86 million in 1993. The defense cooperation between the two nations has also grown, with Czech defense companies regularly supplying military equipment to the Indian armed forces.
The Czech Republic is known for its strength in strategic sectors such as defense, nuclear energy, cyber security, AI, big data, nanotechnology, and laser technology. India and the Czech Republic have been working together on niche technologies, and in 2017, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launched the first Czech technological satellite, VZLUSAT-1. Furthermore, the Czech Republic has been supportive of India’s aspirations for full membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and its bid for non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Prime Minister Fiala’s visit to India coincided with the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, a three-day event focusing on investment opportunities in the state of Gujarat. The Czech Prime Minister emphasized the potential for collaboration with India, not only in energy but also in sectors like wastewater treatment and sustainable agriculture. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel received Prime Minister Fiala at the airport upon his arrival.
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Fiala signifies the deepening partnership between India and the Czech Republic. Both leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the fields of technology, defense, and climate change.
In conclusion, the fruitful meeting between Prime Minister Modi and his Czech counterpart, Prime Minister Fiala, highlighted the shared commitment of India and the Czech Republic to enhance their bilateral relations. The discussions centered around various sectors, including new technologies, automobiles, climate change, and defense. Both countries are keen on exploring new opportunities for collaboration and fostering strategic investment in key areas of mutual interest.
