Indian Ambassador Raveesh Kumar visited leading Czech defence and industrial firms, including ELDIS Pardubice, RETIA, and LIKO-S, to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration between the two nations. The visit underscored India’s growing partnership with Czech industry leaders in defence technology, manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure.
ELDIS, a key supplier of radar systems covering 99% of India’s airspace, discussed its expansion plans with Managing Director Vladimír Vojáček. The company aims to strengthen its presence in India under the “Make in India” initiative, further enhancing indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Similarly, RETIA, a specialist in radar modernization and ultra-wideband communication systems, explored potential market-entry strategies in India with CEO Jan Mikulecky. The discussions focused on radar and detection technologies to support India’s evolving defence infrastructure.
Ambassador Kumar, accompanied by Defence Attaché Colonel Vijayant Singh, also visited LIKO-S headquarters in Slavkov, where he was introduced to the company’s growth in India. The meeting highlighted the success of LIKO-S Pvt Ltd, which operates under the “Designed in Europe, Made in India” model.
The Ambassador toured LIKO-S’s Interiors and Industry divisions, witnessing firsthand the company’s innovations in smart infrastructure.
Discussions emphasized the long-term potential of Indo-Czech business relations. A key takeaway from the meeting was patience in entering the Indian market, with the Czech Industrial Cluster in Bangalore serving as a successful case study. LIKO-S executives noted that establishing a foothold in India opens doors to the broader Middle Eastern market.
The visits to ELDIS, RETIA, and LIKO-S reaffirmed India’s commitment to fostering stronger industrial partnerships with the Czech Republic.
India and the Czech Republic have a growing bilateral trade relationship, with trade exceeding USD 3.68 billion in 2023 and USD 2.94 billion for the period of Jan-Sept 2024. In early 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership on Innovation. This partnership focuses on key areas such as artificial intelligence, electromobility, and semiconductor technology, which are critical for advancing high-tech industries in both nations.