Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Shri Jitin Prasada concluded an official visit to the Czech Republic from 22 to 23 April 2026 at the invitation of the Czech government. The visit reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening strategic and economic engagement with key European partners and to deepening bilateral trade, investment and innovation linkages. The programme focused on identifying practical opportunities for industrial collaboration and technology partnerships. During the visit, the minister held bilateral meetings with senior Czech leaders, including Mr Karel Havlí?ek, 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 reviewed progress in economic cooperation and explored avenues to strengthen industrial and trade linkages across priority sectors. The delegation emphasised mutual interest in enhancing regulatory facilitation and business-to-business engagement. Shri Prasada co-chaired the 13th session of the India–Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation in Prague on 23 April 2026 and the protocol of the session was signed to record agreed steps for cooperation. On the margins, he inaugurated the India–Czech business forum and engaged with leading industry representatives to promote trade and investment opportunities. The minister visited leading industrial and technology companies in the automotive, transport equipment and advanced engineering sectors, including Škoda Transportation in Plze? and met representatives of Skoda Auto to encourage enhanced investment in India’s automobile sector. He also interacted with the Indian community while in the Czech Republic. The minister visited the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) in Prague and the ELI Beamlines Laser Facility in Dolní B?ežany, both described as centres of excellence in advanced research, artificial intelligence, robotics and laser science. The visits explored cooperation in research, talent exchange and joint projects in emerging technologies. The programme reflected growing political will and converging economic aspirations and sought to translate a shared leadership vision into durable partnerships for inclusive growth, industrial transformation and global economic resilience.