Swiss President Parmelin Calls India Visit a ‘Stepping Stone’ to Stronger Ties

Swiss President Guy Parmelin described his India visit as a “stepping stone” towards a deeper partnership, as he began a three-day State visit focused on expanding trade, investment and cooperation in technology and innovation.

Speaking after a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, where President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received him, Parmelin said the relationship rested on shared democratic values, trust and mutual respect.

“My visit is a stepping stone towards further growth, deepening and strengthening of our close, broad and long-standing partnership. I am pleased and honoured that we have the chance to exchange views on matters of bilateral and global importance,” he said.

TRADE PACT COMPLETES A YEAR

A key engagement during the visit will be the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7, commemorating the first anniversary of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement taking effect.

The pact covers India and the four European Free Trade Association members: Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Signed on March 10, 2024, it came into force on October 1, 2025.

“I am especially glad that my stay in India will enable us to commemorate the first anniversary of the entry into force of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, TEPA,” Parmelin said.

“It is the right moment to celebrate how far we have come together, but even more importantly, to shape our joint future.”

Switzerland is India’s largest trade and investment partner among the EFTA countries, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

MODI TALKS TO COVER TECHNOLOGY, INVESTMENT AND MOBILITY

Parmelin and Modi are scheduled to review cooperation across trade, investment, science, technology, innovation and mobility, alongside cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties. Regional and global developments, including cooperation in multilateral forums, will also feature in their discussions.

The Swiss president is accompanied by senior officials and business leaders. His itinerary includes a meeting with Murmu, who will host a State banquet in his honour, and an engagement with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

SECOND INDIA VISIT THIS YEAR

The October 5–7 trip is Parmelin’s first State visit to India and his second visit to the country this year. He previously attended the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February.

“The visit is an excellent opportunity to emphasise the importance that both Switzerland and India attach to this relationship,” he said.

The MEA said the visit would build on regular high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in new areas of mutual interest.

With inputs from ANI