At a time when Europe is rethinking its trade partnerships, grappling with soaring energy costs and searching for a path to peace in Ukraine, Czech First Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlícek arrived in India with a clear message: the relationship between New Delhi and Europe has room to grow.
In an exclusive conversation with NewsX Foreign Affairs Editor Sukanya Saha, Havlícek discusses why India matters to Europe’s economic future, whether New Delhi can help bring Russia and Ukraine closer to peace, and how Europe should respond to Washington’s shifting trade and energy policies. He also shares his views on Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and the prospect of closer ties between Canada and the European Union.
Q. Bilateral trade has crossed $4 billion, but how do we take it to the next level? What, according to you, is the biggest outcome of this visit, so far?
A. Bilateral trade of $4 billion is a good level, but we can and must do more. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to be signed in the coming weeks or months, will create a market of 2 billion people. That’s an enormous opportunity. Czechia is an export-oriented, engineering-driven and highly industrialised economy, so there is huge potential for collaboration. I’m here not just to offer our products, but also to explore joint projects and investment opportunities in India. We know India’s economic strategy is built around Make in India. Our ambition is to build long-term ties through investment and joint ventures with Indian businesses. That’s why I’ve brought a business delegation with me.”
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Q. When will the India-EU FTA become a reality? Negotiations have concluded, but businesses are waiting. When do you expect the agreement to enter into force, and what is holding up implementation?
A. The agreement is currently going through the ratification process. I hope it will be formally signed in November or December this year. That would send an extremely important signal to businesses and encourage greater collaboration with India. I’ve been working with India for 20 years, having come from the business sector, and I’ve seen the country’s remarkable growth over the past 10 to 15 years. India is not only the world’s most populous country but also a major force in research and development and new technologies. There’s tremendous potential here.
Q. Do you think Czechia risks being overshadowed by larger European economies in capitalising on the India-EU FTA? If not, then which Czech industries stand to benefit most from better access to the Indian market?
A. From India’s perspective, Czechia may be a small country, but we are a major industrial and engineering hub in Europe. We have strong capabilities in aircraft manufacturing, and we are among the few countries globally that can produce complete aircraft. I met India’s Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and we discussed opportunities to develop and manufacture aircraft jointly with Indian companies. We also have a strong automotive and transport industry, producing cars, buses, trains and trams. Companies such as Volkswagen, Hyundai, Toyota, Mercedes, Iveco and Tata have a presence in Czechia, while Škoda Transportation is a major producer of trains. There is considerable scope for collaboration, including supplying components and trains to India. With Tata and Škoda expanding their presence, the opportunities are significant.
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