India and the Czech Republic agree to deepen defence industry cooperation through their Joint Defence Committee
13 October 2026
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026 with Karel Havlíček, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.
The two sides reviewed defence industry cooperation and welcomed the successful setting up of several joint ventures.
They agreed to take the cooperation further through the India-Czech Joint Defence Committee.
The release linked this cooperation to the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
The ministers also discussed current peace and security issues and agreed that more cooperation is needed to maintain stability in the region.
Havlíček is on a four-day visit to India and will also tour industries in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
In plain words
Aatmanirbhar Bharat — The Union government's self-reliance drive, which in defence means building more equipment within India.
Joint venture — A company formed by two or more firms, often from different countries, to run a shared business.
Joint Defence Committee — A standing bilateral body through which two governments plan and review defence cooperation.