Liechtenstein’s Prince Alois Gets Ceremonial Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on First State Visit

Hereditary Prince Alois, Acting Head of State of the Principality of Liechtenstein, was given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday, where President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received him and his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was present at the venue ahead of the ceremony.

Speaking on the sidelines, the prince said the first state visit by his country to India reflects the importance Liechtenstein attaches to its relationship with New Delhi.

‘A MILESTONE’

“I am very honoured to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein’s first state visit to this remarkable country,” he said. “This historic visit bears testimony to the importance that Liechtenstein attaches to the relationship with India.”

He pointed to the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Liechtenstein and entered into force a year ago, as “a significant milestone.”

“We are determined to build on this momentum and strengthen our ties with India even further,” he said. The prince said he sees “tremendous potential” in expanding economic cooperation in innovation, advanced manufacturing, financial services, education and technology.

“Our two countries possess complementary strengths,” he said, “that we can bring together for the lasting benefit of both our countries.”

AT RASHTRAPATI BHAVAN

During the ceremony, Prince Alois and Princess Sophie met members of the Indian delegation, while Murmu and Modi interacted with the visiting Liechtenstein delegation.

Jaishankar, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary and Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George were among those present, along with other senior officials.

THE VISIT SO FAR

The prince arrived in Mumbai on Monday and travelled on to Vadodara before reaching New Delhi, where Chaudhary received him at the airport. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit would give “renewed impetus” to bilateral relations, calling it “a new chapter in India-Liechtenstein engagement.” He is accompanied by the princess, a high-level official delegation and a business delegation of industry leaders.

After the reception, the official programme in New Delhi includes a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat and bilateral talks with Modi at Hyderabad House. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chaudhary are also scheduled to call on the prince. The delegation leaves India on Wednesday.

THE BACKGROUND

The visit comes amid growing engagement between the two countries, following the entry into force of the India-EFTA agreement in 2025. India and Liechtenstein established diplomatic relations in 1993 and marked the 30th anniversary of ties in 2023. Prince Alois came to New Delhi in February 2026 for the AI Impact Summit, and has also visited India in 2010 and 2018.

LIECHTENSTEIN: THE ALPINE PRINCIPALITY

Liechtenstein is a tiny Alpine principality of about 160 sq km, wedged between Switzerland and Austria, with a population of around 41,000. Its capital is Vaduz, and it is a hereditary constitutional monarchy. Prince Hans-Adam II is the head of state, but since 2004 his son, Hereditary Prince Alois, has exercised his powers as his representative. Liechtenstein belongs to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) along with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, and its economy is built on specialised manufacturing and financial services.

With inputs from ANI