Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky recently visited India and met with representatives of the Tibetan community. Lipavsky emphasized the trade potential of India and the Czech Republic and commented on China’s aggressive actions on the northern borders of India in an interview with the WION news channel.

Lipavsky’s meeting with the head of the Tibetan Government in Exile last year was met with sharp condemnation from China, which accused Lipavsky of sending an inappropriate message to the Tibetan separatist movement. However, Lipavsky maintains that the friendship between the late Czech President Vaclav Havel and the Dalai Lama is still alive.

Lipavsky stressed that China and its economic superpower seem to be the biggest challenge in the Pacific, and it is becoming a military superpower. He believes that India, Europe, and the US need to be ready to approach China and to cooperate on talking to the Chinese in a way that avoids any possible future conflicts.

Regarding possible cooperation in the defense industry, Lipavsky said that the Russian war against Ukraine shows that the Russian military is not a reliable partner. He emphasized that the Czech Republic has a very good defense industry and is ready to present it to India. Some projects are already happening, and they want to increase that kind of cooperation.

Lipavsky’s visit to India was to show that the Czech Republic is ready to cooperate and has a lot to offer. He mentioned that the Czech Republic has great universities and companies and wants to build a relationship of mutual interest in terms of research and innovation. The Czech Republic has a strong automotive industry, speaking about Skoda or Tata trucks, and wants to be part of India’s thriving economy.

Lipavsky also mentioned that he would meet representatives of two airline companies to show them that Prague is ready for a direct flight to India.

Lipavsky gave a speech at the Europe Business & Sustainability Conclave business conference in Delhi, which was also attended by India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Lipavsky said the Czech Republic and India could develop cooperation in science, innovation, and technology, such as in fields like telehealth, biomedicine, and microelectronics.

Lipavsky emphasized that Czech firms offer solutions in the concept of smart cities, energy value of waste, and clean technology. He promised to intensify contacts between Czech and Indian universities and research institutes.

In conclusion, Lipavsky’s visit to India was to strengthen the relationship between the Czech Republic and India, particularly in terms of trade, defense, and innovation. His meetings with representatives of the Tibetan community and his comments on China’s aggressive actions show that the Czech Republic is committed to promoting human rights and regional stability. Lipavsky’s speech at the business conference also highlights the potential for cooperation between the Czech Republic and India in various fields, which could lead to mutual benefits for both countries.

Article by Prague Forum