Modi, Swiss President sign 5 MoUs, bet big on innovation, infra, people-to-people ties
Guy Parmelin’s India visit coincides with first anniversary of India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and amid increased traffic between Europe and India
Guy Parmelin, the President of Switzerland, arrived in India on a three-day state visit on Monday (October 5) morning – his second trip to the country this year. He was here in February for the AI summit. Switzerland is due to host the next AI summit in Geneva next year.
India, Europe reassess ties amid Trump’s tariffs
His return visit comes amid heightened engagement between New Delhi and Europe, as President Donald Trump’s disruptive foreign policy has unsettled traditional alliances and prompted both friends and partners of the US to reassess their options. The growing traffic between India and Europe reflects a wider effort on both sides to diversify partnerships and reduce dependence on traditional relationships.
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Parmelin’s visit also coincides with the first anniversary of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which has opened greater market access and investment opportunities. The European Free Trade Association comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is India’s largest trade and investment partner among the EFTA countries, with more than 340 Swiss companies operating in India. TEPA also envisages $100 billion in investment in India and one million direct jobs over 15 years.
The agreement is separate from the India-EU free trade agreement signed in January. The India-EU negotiations, which began in 2007, gathered pace as Trump’s tariffs and trade policies added urgency to efforts on both sides to strengthen economic ties. Trump may have acted as an accelerator, but the India-Europe push predates his return to the White House.
Emphasis on mobility, migration
“Today, innovation, infrastructure, and advanced technology are strong pillars of our partnership,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ahead of bilateral talks with the Swiss President. The talks also focussed on defence production, military exchanges and nuclear energy, though details are not available.
Five MoUs and agreements were signed to deepen cooperation between India and Switzerland.
“People-to-people ties are the greatest strength of our partnership. The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement and the Young Professionals Agreement signed today will open up many new opportunities in Switzerland for Indian students, researchers, professionals, and young people,” Modi said.
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Under the mobility agreement, Indian citizens will be able to obtain multiple-entry visas valid for five years, with stays of up to six months on each entry, making travel for work easier. Students will be eligible for renewable one-year permits. An agreement on the exchange of young professionals was also signed.
Cooperation in infrastructure, technology, space
Another MoU to promote cooperation on sustainable infrastructure, particularly in transport and mobility, including electric vehicles, ropeways, tunnels and the circular economy was sealed. A Letter of Intent between India’s Department of Science and Technology and the Swiss National Science Foundation seeks to strengthen long-term cooperation between the two countries’ research communities. An Implementation Arrangement between the Department of Science and Technology and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences will establish cooperation in innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship.
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The inaugural session of the Indo-Swiss Research Partnership is also being held, with the Ministry of Science and Technology serving as the nodal ministry. New joint research in health, clean energy and space are among the key areas of cooperation.
Consensus on negotiated peace in Ukraine, West Asia
The two leaders naturally discussed global issues, particularly the wars in Ukraine and West Asia that have hit the world’s oil and fertiliser supplies. Both spoke on the need to stop the endless wars through negotiated settlement. At one point, there was talk of Switzerland playing a role as a peacemaker in Ukraine. The country’s neutral status makes it an attractive proposition, but that fell through. Today, India is trying to do its bit. Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have appreciated India’s efforts.
Expectedly, little is known about India’s proposal or whether it can deliver.
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As countries hedge their bets in an increasingly uncertain world, India and Switzerland are deepening their partnership. The agreements signed today are expected to give fresh momentum to a relationship that has moved beyond trade to encompass mobility, research, technology and innovation.
