Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Modi and Parmelin Seek to Deepen India-Switzerland Partnership
Swiss President Guy Parmelin visited India for three days and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
They talked about ways India and Switzerland can work together more closely.
Their topics included trade, technology, artificial intelligence, defence production and travel between the countries.
They also discussed peace and cooperation between countries around the world.
Officials said the two sides agreed on new work involving transport, migration and young professionals.
They also plan joint research in health, clean energy and space.
The leaders noted a trade agreement between India and the EFTA countries that began in October 2025.
Parmelin called his visit a stepping stone toward an even stronger partnership.
He is expected to attend a summit on October 7 to mark the agreement’s first anniversary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin met in New Delhi during Parmelin’s three-day state visit, his first state visit to India.
The leaders discussed cooperation in trade, investment, AI, innovation, defence production, mobility, nuclear energy, science and technology, and people-to-people ties.
They noted economic cooperation under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which took effect on October 1, 2025.
Officials said new agreements cover transport, mobility and infrastructure, migration and mobility, and young professionals; joint research will address health, clean energy and space.
Parmelin described the visit as a stepping stone for the long-standing partnership and is due to attend the India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin, with Indian and Swiss officials.
- What
- They held talks on strengthening India-Switzerland cooperation and noted new agreements and joint research areas.
- When
- Monday during Parmelin’s three-day state visit; the India-EFTA Prosperity Summit is scheduled for October 7.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, including talks at Hyderabad House.
- Why
- To deepen bilateral cooperation and exchange views on bilateral and global matters.
Partnership opportunities
Areas for consideration
Trade agreement and economic cooperation
Partnership opportunities
Officials and leaders highlighted positive momentum under TEPA and described it as a basis for expanding economic cooperation.
Areas for consideration
The articles report no opposing criticism of TEPA or the planned cooperation.
New cooperation areas
Partnership opportunities
The announced agreements and planned joint research were presented as ways to broaden the partnership.
Areas for consideration
The articles provide no contrary assessment of these plans or details about potential concerns.
- Visitor
- Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation
- Visit
- Three-day state visit; Parmelin’s first state visit to India and second visit to the country this year
- Main discussion areas
- Trade, investment, AI, innovation, defence production, mobility, nuclear energy, science and technology, and people-to-people ties
- Trade agreement
- India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)
- TEPA dates
- Signed March 10, 2024; entered into force October 1, 2025
- Announced cooperation
- Agreements on transport, mobility and infrastructure, migration and mobility, and young professionals; joint research in health, clean energy and space
- Upcoming event
- Second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7, marking TEPA’s first anniversary
- EFTA members
- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
