Swiss President Guy Parmelin meets PM Modi, Jaishankar to strengthen India Switzerland ties

New delhi: Guy Parmelin, president of Swiss Confederation, began his three-day state visit to India on Monday with a ceremonial welcome at president house, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat and talks with prime minister, Narendra Modi, at Hyderabad House. His October 5-7 visit is focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, mobility and people-to-people ties, with the first anniversary of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (Tepa) also taking centre stage.

The president, Droupadi Murmu, and Narendra Modi received Parmelin at president house, where he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. The Swiss president, accompanied by his wife Caroline Parmelin, later paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before proceeding with his official engagements.

Parmelin subsequently held bilateral and delegation-level discussions with Modi at Hyderabad House. The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across trade and investment, science and technology, innovation, mobility, culture and people-to-people contacts, besides exchanging views on regional and global developments and cooperation in multilateral forums.

Speaking after the ceremonial welcome, Parmelin said his visit was an opportunity to underline the importance both countries attach to their relationship. “The visit is an excellent opportunity to emphasise the importance that both Switzerland and India attach to this relationship,” he said.

Parmelin said the partnership between the two countries was built on common principles and mutual confidence. “My visit is a stepping stone towards further growth, deepening and strengthening of our close, broad and long-standing partnership,” Parmelin said, adding that he was pleased to exchange views with Indian leaders on “matters of bilateral and global importance”.

Parmelin also highlighted the significance of the India-EFTA Tepa, which entered 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,” he said.

The agreement was signed on March 10, 2024, between India and Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Parmelin said the anniversary was a chance to look at the progress made so far and plan for the future. “It is the right moment to celebrate how far we have come together, but even more importantly, to shape our joint future,” he said.

The external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, also called on Parmelin during the visit. Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar said he appreciated the Swiss president’s commitment to taking the partnership forward and building on the potential of the Tepa.

“Deeply appreciate President Parmelin’s sentiments towards deepening our partnership, building on the promise of India-EFTA Tepa,” Jaishankar said. He added that he was “confident” that the Swiss president’s meeting with Modi would further strengthen engagement between the two countries across multiple areas.

Switzerland is India’s largest trade and investment partner among the four EFTA countries, giving the economic component of Parmelin’s visit particular importance. His itinerary includes participation in the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7, which will coincide with the first anniversary of the trade agreement coming into force.

The visit is Parmelin’s first state visit to India and his second trip to the country this year. He had earlier travelled to New Delhi in February to participate in the AI Impact Summit.

During his stay, Parmelin will also meet president Murmu, who will host an official banquet in his honour. The visit builds on regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, with Modi having visited Switzerland in 2016 and 2018, while the last state visit by an Indian president to Switzerland took place in 2019.

The three-day engagement is expected to give India and Switzerland an opportunity to expand their partnership beyond traditional economic ties, particularly in emerging areas such as technology, innovation, scientific cooperation and mobility.