India's relations with former Czechoslovakia and now the Czech Republic have always been very friendly. The 1938 Munich Pact, which became a symbol of appeasement and shook the confidence of Eastern Europeans in the good faith of the Western democracies, was strongly condemned by the Indian Nationalist Movement. What, in your opinion, can be done further to enhance the friendly ties between these two democratic countries?

Practically immediately after the revival of our national independence after the end of World War I, our political, cultural, and economic relations started developing. Although the Czech Republic and the Republic of India are separated by a great distance, we are important partners. Our country shares with India, the largest democracy in the world, common values and beliefs, commitment to democracy, pluralism, human rights, and the rule of law. Both countries pursue economic progress and prosperity in a peaceful, stable, and secure global environment. Our trade is constantly growing, and I am confident that Czech entrepreneurs and business people will not only promote their existing trade cooperation with their Indian partners but also open up new opportunities for mutual relations between our countries.

Many high-level visits have taken place in the past, the most recent being of Czech President Vaclav Klaus's state visit to India in 2005. What were the highlights of the visit?

President Klaus had meetings with India‘s President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of External Affairs, and with the Chief of Opposition . These were the highlights of the official part of his visit. Then, of course, the visit to Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan and the Deshikotam Award Ceremony for President Klaus, visits to ISRO and INFOSYS in Bangalore, and, last but not least, visits to TATRA in Hosur and SKODA AUTO in Aurangabad. We must, also, not forget the visits to Goa and the caves at Ellora. As you see, the programme was composed in such a way that President Klaus had a chance to see a lot of India.

An Indo-Czech Parliamentary Friendship Group comprising twelve members of the Czech Chamber of Deputies has been set up in the Czech Parliament to promote cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. What is its focus?

As mentioned in your question, to promote cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries. Two years ago, the delegation of the Czech Parliament visited India. It was the first delegation travelling abroad that composed both chambers, Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Now we are expecting a reciprocal visit of Indian members of Parliament to my country.

A Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was finalised in August 1996, which was subsequently signed during the visit of the Indian President in October 1996. The first round of FOC was held in New Delhi in 1997 and the second round was held in Prague in 2002. What is its purpose?

The mechanism of consultations between our MEA and MEAs of other countries we have is only with our friends, so it is only natural that we have it, also, with India. Its purpose is to consult regularly on issues in the international arena that are interesting for both sides. We share common values and beliefs, commitment to democracy, pluralism, human rights, and the rule of law. As you know, today‘s world is not an ideal one, so there are good reasons for consultations.

With the formation of the Czech Republic, the switch to payments in freely convertible currencies, and the liquidation of large state-owned companies in the republic led to decline in trade with India. What new mechasnisms were devised to address these trade and economic challenges?

Yes, that´s true; trade in the early 90´s dramatically declined. In those years, we rapidly and radically liberalized trade, investments, and prices; we deregulated markets, privatized major parts of the economy; we started our integration into the world community in all dimensions. The Czech Republic is now a stable, developed European country that has successfully overcome the heritage of Communism and found its place among the fast developing European Union member states. Doing business in our country is as standard as in any other country which has a market economy. Trade is regularly growing from US$152 million in 2001 up to US$500 million that we expect at the end of 2005 (up to September it was US$373 million).

Mechanism for cooperation such as the India-Czech Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation and the Indo-Czech Joint Business Council have been constituted. How active have they been in facilitating contacts and partnerships between the business enterprises of India and the Czech Republic?

Regular meetings of both bodies are held every year—once in the Czech Republic and once in India. I think the figures concerning our bilateral trade, which I mentioned above, speak for themselves. The mechanism of these two bodies is to help the business community initiate first contact; later on it will depend on the businessmen of both countries.

Currently, there are not many Indian investments in the Czech Republic, but, with the Czech Republic joining the EU, do you feel that there will be more opportunities to have an increased Indian presence in the Czech Republic?

It depends only on Indian businessmen. Up to now, the Mittal Group and Infosys are investing in my country; Indians also have 1/3 shares of the TATRA company. The business environment is very friendly in my country. The Czech Republic has attracted a large amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) making it the most successful transition country in terms of FDI per capita in the world. It has recorded a FDI of US$42.5 billion since 1993. In 2004 only, the Czech Republic attracted US$4.2 billion, and, so far this year, more than US$7 billion. (We are only a population of 10 million!) An excellent rating combined with low inflation and stable economic performance mitigates the risks associated with investing in the Czech Republic.

What, in your opinion, can be done to ensure multipolarity in the world political/economic order rather than unipolarity as seems to be the case today? And, how supportive is the Czech Republic of India´s bid for a UN Security Council permanent seat?

As far as our foreign policy is concerned, you have to take into account that we are members of EU and NATO. This does not mean that we should be closeted inside EU; we want to have as many relations outside EU as possible, and India is a nice example. The Czech Republic recognizes the importance of India as a democratic nation in the globalized world and supports its aspiration for a United Nations Security Council seat. We cosponsored the relevant resolution at the last UN General Assembly.

What steps are being taken to boost tourism and cultural aspects between India and the Czech Republic?

Last year only, Prague Castle was visited by 5 million foreign tourists; India hosted 3.5 million tourists during the same time. More Czechs travel to Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Thailand than to India. The question is why? Czech tourists travel where they want, they have no limits, it depends only on the attractiveness of the holiday destination. Maybe, businessmen in the tourism sector here need to do some homework. As far as cultural exchange is concerned, Czech films are regularly exposed on international film festivals in India, exhibitions of Czech art and scenography have been organised in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

In the Czech Republic, there have been organised days of Indian cuisine and exhibitions of handicrafts, and Indian artists have participated in international exhibitions. The Czech government offers several college scholarships to Indian students every year. In 2004, former Czech President Vaclav Havel was awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize.

Any other issue on which Your Excellency would wish to comment on?

The Czech Republic is present in India not only at the official or business level but also in the human sphere. Czech Charity runs a programme sponsoring children‘s education. In 2004, it sponsored more than 10,000 children in South Indian states.