Industry minister heads to India with Czech firms, expects meeting with Modi

Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček expects to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a business mission aimed at expanding Czech companies’ presence in India.

Speaking before the delegation’s departure Sunday, Havlíček said the visit would focus on opportunities in transport, aviation, engineering, defense and energy. The program runs Oct. 12–15, with stops in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai.

“If nothing extraordinary happens, Prime Minister Modi will receive us,” Havlíček told reporters. The meeting therefore remains expected rather than confirmed.

Havlíček said the delegation would also meet Indian ministers responsible for transport, aviation, defense and energy, alongside representatives of selected companies.

Three business forums are planned. The minister described the trip as Czechia’s largest business mission in several years and said companies were arriving with potential contracts already discussed.

“We are not going there blindly. A whole series of contracts have been negotiated in advance,” he said. He did not announce their value or identify which agreements might be signed during the visit.

Among the delegation’s ambitions are increased sales of Czech trains, aircraft, engineering products and defense equipment. Havlíček described India as an especially promising market where Czech businesses have considerable room to grow.

Confederation of Industry President Jan Rafaj said participating companies included Škoda Transportation. The delegation also brings together businesses and institutions working in environmental and digital technologies, finance, research and science.

Rafaj said the intensive program and access to senior Indian officials could open opportunities for Czech companies.

Havlíček also pointed to the EU–India trade agreement as a factor supporting closer commercial ties.

Negotiations concluded in January 2026, and the European Commission submitted proposals for signing the agreement in September. However, its published explanation of the approval process makes clear that further steps are required before it can enter into force, including European Parliament consent and ratification by India.

The Commission says the agreement is expected to reduce or eliminate 90 percent of tariffs and simplify trade procedures. Those are anticipated benefits of implementation, rather than confirmation that new preferential terms already apply.

Czechia currently imports more goods from India than it exports there. According to Czech Statistical Office figures, the bilateral goods trade deficit was approximately CZK 12 billion in 2024 and narrowed by about CZK 1.4 billion in 2025.

The mission is intended to help Czech exporters strengthen their position in that market. Its immediate outcomes will depend on the meetings and any agreements concluded during the visit; the minister’s comments establish commercial ambitions rather than completed sales.