Key Details
The inaugural meeting established foreign-minister-level engagement between India and the Visegrád Group, commonly known as the V4.
V4 members: Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia
Chair: Held under Slovakia’s presidency of the V4
Economic agenda: Trade, investment, resilient supply chains, technology, innovation and connectivity
Other areas: Defence and security, research, education, mobility, culture and people-to-people exchanges
Proposed engagement: More interaction among businesses, universities and research institutions
Next steps announced by India: Annual foreign ministers’ meetings and an annual business forum
Multilateral cooperation: Reformed multilateralism and challenges affecting the Global South
UN Security Council: The four V4 countries collectively expressed support for India’s permanent membership bid
A Collective Channel Complements Four Bilateral Relationships
India already has bilateral relations with Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The V4+India format adds a collective mechanism for engaging the four Central European countries on shared priorities.
As EU members integrated into European manufacturing and supply chains, the V4 can provide India a more focused route into Central European markets, industrial capabilities and institutions, while complementing broader India–EU engagement.
The format does not replace bilateral or India–EU diplomacy. Its value will depend on identifying areas where collective engagement adds to separate national initiatives.
An Annual Business Forum Could Give the Format Economic Substance
The inaugural meeting covered trade, investment, supply-chain resilience, connectivity and technology, with the two sides agreeing to pursue an annual business forum alongside regular foreign-minister meetings.
The forum could connect companies, investment agencies, universities and technology institutions around specific projects and market barriers. Potential complementarities include V4 capabilities in automotive manufacturing, engineering, electronics, defence and industrial technology, alongside India’s manufacturing scale, technology talent and growing market.
Its value will ultimately depend on whether it generates sector-specific investment and partnerships, rather than remaining a promotional dialogue.
Technology, Defence and Mobility Offer Practical Areas for Cooperation
The ministers identified technology and innovation, defence and security, research, education and connectivity for deeper cooperation.
Existing bilateral industrial and defence relationships provide a base for joint industry engagement, research partnerships and resilient supply chains. Education and skilled mobility offer another route, given the presence of Indian students and professionals in Central Europe and workforce needs in parts of the region.
Progress on mobility would also require attention to qualification recognition, visas and predictable movement of skilled workers.
V4 Support Adds to India’s UNSC Reform Coalition
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said all four V4 countries support India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The collective position broadens diplomatic support but does not change the formal reform process, which requires wider UN agreement and amendment of the UN Charter, including ratification by the existing permanent members.
Its immediate significance is therefore political support from four EU member states for India’s case for greater representation in multilateral institutions.
Policy Relevance
The new format will gain policy significance only if it develops a focused work programme beyond diplomatic meetings.
Use the business forum as the delivery mechanism: Focus on identifiable investments, technology partnerships and supply-chain projects rather than broad commercial promotion.
Concentrate on complementary capabilities: Advanced manufacturing, defence technology, research and skilled mobility offer clearer starting points than an equally weighted agenda across every area discussed.
Connect diplomacy with implementing institutions: MEA can sustain the political framework, but Commerce, DPIIT, the Ministry of Defence, universities and industry bodies will determine whether it produces commercial and institutional outcomes.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: Which two or three projects can India and the V4 place before their first annual business forum to demonstrate that the new dialogue can produce outcomes beyond existing bilateral ties?
Follow the Full Release Here: First V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting