New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday as the Swiss leader began a three-day State visit to India. The two leaders held bilateral discussions aimed at further strengthening the longstanding India-Switzerland partnership.
The talks are focused on a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, science and technology, innovation, mobility, culture and people-to-people ties. The leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments and cooperation in multilateral forums.
President Parmelin received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi welcomed him. Earlier, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
The visit comes as India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) mark the first anniversary of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) coming into force. Switzerland is India’s largest trade and investment partner among the EFTA countries.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met President Parmelin and highlighted the potential to deepen bilateral engagement, particularly by building on the opportunities created by the India-EFTA TEPA.
The Swiss President said the visit provides an opportunity to underline the importance both countries attach to their relationship, describing India-Switzerland ties as being based on shared democratic values, trust and mutual respect.
