Czech Republic

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Karel Havlíček, Czech Republic’s 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, in New Delhi on 13 October 2026.
Both sides reviewed defence-industrial cooperation and agreed to expand collaboration, including under the India–Czech Joint Defence Committee and India’s Make in India initiative.

The Czech Republic, or Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe.
Capital: Prague.
It shares borders with four countries:
- Germany – west and northwest
- Poland – north and northeast
- Slovakia – east
- Austria – south
Historically, Czechia comprises Bohemia, Moravia and part of Silesia.
The country lies within major European drainage systems flowing towards the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea.

Relief: Much of western Czechia consists of the Bohemian Basin and surrounding highlands, while eastern areas include Moravian lowlands and uplands.
Mountain systems: Important ranges include the Sudetes, Ore Mountains, Šumava or Bohemian Forest, and parts of the Western Carpathians.
Highest point: Sněžka, located in the Krkonoše Mountains of the Sudetes, rises to about 1,602 metres.
Climate: Czechia has a predominantly temperate continental climate, with relatively warm summers and cold winters.
Major rivers: Important rivers include the Elbe (Labe), Vltava, Oder (Odra) and Morava.
Drainage:
- The Elbe system drains towards the North Sea.
- The Oder drains towards the Baltic Sea.
- The Morava joins the Danube system, which drains towards the Black Sea.
Natural resources: Include coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, forests and arable land.

India and Czechia have an established framework for defence-industrial cooperation.
During the October 2026 meeting, both sides reviewed existing collaborations and joint ventures.
They agreed to expand cooperation under the India–Czech Joint Defence Committee.
The discussions also emphasised Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat and stronger defence-manufacturing partnerships.
The engagement reflects broader efforts to strengthen technology cooperation, industrial partnerships and strategic ties between the two countries.

Q1. What is the capital of the Czech Republic?
Prague.

Q2. Which countries border Czechia?
Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Austria.

Q3. What is the highest point of Czechia?
Sněžka, about 1,602 metres high.

Q4. Which major river flows through Prague?
The Vltava River.

Q5. Why was Czechia recently in news in India?
Because India and Czechia held bilateral talks to expand defence-industrial cooperation.