Delivering a joint press statement following delegation-level talks,
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral relations,
particularly following the implementation of the historic Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement
(TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). “First of all, I appreciate his
commitment to India-Switzerland relations. In October last year, with his
personal support, we implemented a historic trade and economic partnership
agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association. This is
India’s first FTA with any economic bloc in Europe,” PM Modi said. “This is also an ambitious blueprint of
investment, innovation, jobs and mutual prosperity. With this, we will realise
100 billion dollars investment and 10 lakh direct jobs in India in the next 15
years,” the Prime Minister added.
Underlining steps taken to expand commercial engagements, PM Modi
further said, “We have taken several important decisions to enhance market
access for India’s exports in Switzerland, and to further facilitate investment
between the two countries. This will increase the export of India’s
agriculture, pharma, textile, and engineering goods to Switzerland. At the same
time, we will attract new Swiss investment in India’s important sectors such as
biotech, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing, and
sustainability.” The Prime
Minister also highlighted the signing of key agreements aimed at facilitating
cross-border movement for young professionals and scholars, terming
interpersonal connections the foundation of the bilateral partnership. “People-to-people ties are the greatest
strength of our partnership. With the Migration and Mobility Partnership
Agreement and Young Professionals Agreement signed today, many new
opportunities will open up in Switzerland for Indian students, researchers,
professionals, and youth,” PM Modi said.
Having touched down in India on Monday to undertake a three-day State
visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, the Swiss leader’s high-level
itinerary centres on enhancing bilateral collaboration across commerce,
investment, scientific advancement, technological innovation and workforce
mobility. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that President Parmelin
is travelling alongside a prominent delegation consisting of senior officials
and corporate executives, marking his maiden State visit to India and his
second journey to the nation this year, following his participation in the AI
Impact Summit in New Delhi in February 2026.
During the course of the visit, President Parmelin will likewise meet
with President Droupadi Murmu,
who is slated to host a ceremonial banquet in his honour. The diplomatic
engagement acquires distinct prominence given that President Parmelin is set to
attend the second India-EFTA Prosperity
Summit on October 7, signalling the inaugural anniversary of the
operationalisation of TEPA. Emphasising
Switzerland’s critical standing as an economic collaborator, the MEA noted that
among EFTA member states, Switzerland functions as India’s primary trade and
investment partner, underscoring the enduring connections linking both nations
and the necessity of maintaining consistent high-level dialogues. “India and Switzerland share
longstanding friendly relations. This visit will further strengthen bilateral
relations, building upon the regular high-level exchanges and deepening
cooperation in new areas of mutual interest,” the MEA stated.
The diplomatic undertaking transpires against a background of continuous
high-level interactions between New Delhi and Bern, noting that the most recent
State visit executed by an Indian President to Switzerland occurred in 2019,
whereas Prime Minister Modi undertook official journeys to Switzerland in 2016
and 2018.