Date: 2026-04-23Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Shri Jitin Prasada Concludes Official Visit to the Czech Republic to Strengthen Bilateral Economic Cooperation
**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Shri Jitin Prasada concluded an official visit to the Czech Republic from April 22–23, 2026, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties and innovation linkages. Key highlights included co-chairing the 13th Session of the India–Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) and signing an official protocol on April 23, 2026. The visit focused on expanding collaboration in the automotive, AI, robotics, and advanced engineering sectors.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Institutional and Diplomatic Cooperation**
* Co-chaired the 13th Session of the India–Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) in Prague.
* Signed the protocol of the 13th JCEC to identify and review bilateral economic relations and emerging opportunities.
* Conducted bilateral meetings with senior Czech leadership, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers of Industry, Trade, and Foreign Affairs.
**Industrial and Business Engagement**
* Inaugurated the India–Czech Business Forum to enhance business-to-business linkages and promote trade opportunities.
* Visited Škoda Transportation in Plzeň to gain insights into Czech capabilities in transport equipment and advanced engineering.
* Held targeted discussions with Skoda Auto representatives to encourage further investment in India’s automotive sector.
**Scientific and Technological Collaboration**
* Visited the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) to explore partnerships in AI and robotics.
* Engaged with the ELI Beamlines Laser Facility to deepen cooperation in advanced laser science.
* Evaluated avenues for translating shared leadership visions into durable partnerships for industrial transformation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian and Czech Industrial Leaders**
**Impact**
The visit fosters stronger business-to-business linkages and opens new avenues for trade and investment across priority sectors like transport and engineering.
**Action Required**
Engage through the newly inaugurated Business Forum to explore specific commercial partnerships and trade opportunities.
**Automotive Sector Stakeholders (e.g., Skoda Auto)**
**Impact**
There is a high-level push for increased foreign direct investment and deeper collaboration within India’s automobile sector.
**Action Required**
Evaluate opportunities for enhanced investment and expansion within the Indian market as encouraged during bilateral meetings.
**Scientific and Research Institutions**
**Impact**
The visit establishes a foundation for deep cooperation in high-tech fields including AI, robotics, and laser science.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with global centres of excellence, such as CIIRC CTU and ELI Beamlines, to drive joint research and innovation.
**Government Entities (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)**
**Impact**
The signing of the JCEC protocol provides a formal framework for future economic engagement and strategic partnership.
**Action Required**
Monitor the implementation of the signed protocol and facilitate the identified opportunities in emerging sectors.
Key Entities Referenced
India–Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC): The primary bilateral institutional mechanism co-chaired by both nations to review economic relations and identify collaboration opportunities in priority sectors.
Shri Jitin Prasada: Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry who led the official Indian delegation to strengthen strategic and economic engagement with the Czech Republic.
Czech Republic: The partner nation and central location (including Prague, Plzeň, and Dolní Břežany) for the bilateral trade, investment, and innovation linkages discussed.
Protocol of 13th India-Czechia JCEC: The formal policy document signed following the joint commission session to solidify bilateral economic and industrial agreements.
India–Czech Business Forum: An initiative inaugurated during the visit to promote trade, investment, and business-to-business linkages between leading industry representatives.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry
Shri Jitin Prasada Concludes Official Visit to the
Czech Republic to Strengthen Bilateral Economic
Cooperation
Shri Jitin Prasada Co-Chaired 13th Session of India–Czech
Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation
(JCEC)
Shri Jitin Prasada Engages Czech Industry Leaders to Boost
India–Czech Industrial and Automotive Collaboration
Shri Jitin Prasada Visits Czech Institute of Informatics,
Robotics and Cybernetics and ELI Beamlines to Deepen
Cooperation in AI, Robotics and Advanced Laser Science
Posted On: 23 APR 2026 7:26PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, concluded his official visit to the
Czech Republic from 22-23 April 2026. The visit was held at the invitation of the Government of the
Czech Republic, reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening strategic and economic engagement with
key European partners, while deepening bilateral trade, investment, and innovation linkages with the
Czech Republic.
During the visit, the Minister held bilateral meetings with senior Czech leadership, including Mr. Karel
Havlíček, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade; Mr Jan Sechter, Deputy. minister of
Industry and Trade and Ms. Marie Chatardová, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. These engagements
focused on reviewing progress in economic cooperation and exploring new avenues to strengthen
industrial and trade linkages across priority sectors.
Shri Prasada co-chaired the 13th Session of the India–Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic
Cooperation (JCEC) with his Czech counterpart Mr Jan Sechter, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of
the Czech Republic in Prague on 23rd April 2026. Both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral
economic relations and identify new opportunities for collaboration in priority and emerging sectors. The
protocol of 13th India-Czechia JCEC was signed.
On the margins of the visit, the Minister inaugurated in the India–Czech Business Forum with Mr Jan
Sechter, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade and engaged with leading Czech industry representatives
to promote trade and investment opportunities and further strengthen business-to-business linkages.As part of the programme, Shri Prasada visited leading Czech industrial and technology companies in the
automotive, transport equipment, and advanced engineering sectors, including Škoda Transportation in
Plzeň, gaining first-hand insights into Czech industrial capabilities and exploring avenues for deeper
collaboration. Minister also held meeting with representatives of Skoda Auto and encouraged to enhance
investment in India’s auto mobile sector. Minister interacted with vibrant Indian community during the
visit.
The Minister also visited Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) in
Prague and the ELI Beamlines Laser Facility in Dolní Břežany—globally recognised centres of excellence
in advanced research, artificial intelligence, robotics, and laser science.
The visit reflects the growing political will and converging economic aspirations between India and its
European partners. It aims to translate shared leadership vision into durable partnerships that drive
inclusive growth, industrial transformation, and global economic resilience.
***
Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2254969) Visitor Counter : 201
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Gujarati