New Delhi: India and Switzerland on Tuesday agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, investment, defence, infrastructure, science and technology, mobility and emerging technologies as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with the President of Switzerland during his visit to India.
Addressing a joint press statement, Prime Minister Modi warmly welcomed the Swiss President and highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries. He also praised Switzerland’s support for the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, describing it as India’s first free trade agreement with a European economic bloc.
Under the agreement, India and the EFTA countries aim to facilitate $100 billion in investment in India and create one million direct jobs over the next 15 years. Modi said the pact provides an ambitious framework for investment, innovation, employment and shared prosperity.
Greater market access and investment
The two sides discussed measures to expand market access for Indian products in Switzerland and facilitate investment flows. According to Modi, the initiatives are expected to boost Indian exports of agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods.
India will also seek greater Swiss investment in sectors including biotechnology, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing and sustainability. The two countries aim to build trusted supply chains and develop reliable solutions for global markets.
Defence and nuclear cooperation
India and Switzerland also identified new areas for cooperation in military exchanges and defence production. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, signalling an expansion of bilateral engagement into strategic sectors.
Infrastructure was another key area of discussion. Modi cited projects such as the Varanasi ropeway, Jewar Airport in Noida and railway and tunnelling projects in mountainous regions as examples of Swiss-Indian infrastructure cooperation.
An agreement covering transport, mobility and infrastructure was signed during the visit. Modi called on Swiss infrastructure companies to expand their investments in India and contribute to capacity building, design and manufacturing.
Boost to science, technology and AI cooperation
Science and technology emerged as another major pillar of the partnership. India and Switzerland are expected to launch new joint research projects in areas including health, clean energy and space.
India also welcomed an agreement with the University of Zurich aimed at strengthening the capacity of Indian science-based start-ups.
With Yoga and Ayurveda gaining popularity in Switzerland, the two countries also discussed expanding cooperation in these fields.
New opportunities for students and professionals
People-to-people ties were described as a key strength of the bilateral relationship. Modi said the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement and the Young Professionals Agreement signed during the visit would create new opportunities in Switzerland for Indian students, researchers, professionals and young people.
The agreements are expected to strengthen educational, professional and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
India, Switzerland reaffirm commitment to peace
India and Switzerland also reiterated their commitment to democratic values, the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi said India would continue to support meaningful efforts towards peace in conflicts including Ukraine and West Asia. The two countries also agreed on the need for reforms in global institutions to address emerging international challenges.
India-EFTA business summit to focus on investment
The Swiss President’s visit also includes a major business engagement. Modi said India will host the “Prosperity Summit” with India-EFTA business leaders on October 7, providing a platform to translate the India-EFTA trade and investment partnership into concrete business outcomes.
The Prime Minister welcomed the participation of the Swiss President and business delegation, expressing confidence that the summit would help advance investment and economic cooperation.
Cooperation on artificial intelligence
The two countries are also looking ahead to greater cooperation on artificial intelligence. Modi recalled that India hosted the world’s largest AI summit in February and said Switzerland would carry the initiative forward through the Geneva AI Summit next year.
He expressed confidence that India and Switzerland would work together to promote AI that is responsible, inclusive and human-centric.
The visit is expected to give fresh momentum to India-Switzerland relations, with both sides seeking to expand their partnership beyond traditional economic ties into defence, advanced technology, infrastructure, research, mobility and global governance.
