PM, Swiss president broaden ties across trade, defence, technology and nuclear energy

New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, and the Swiss president, Guy Parmelin, held bilateral and delegation level talks at Hyderabad House on Monday, covering trade, investment, defence, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, science, infrastructure and mobility. The two leaders also exchanged views on Ukraine, West Asia and multilateral cooperation as India and Switzerland marked a year since the India-EFTA trade agreement came into force.

Modi placed dialogue and diplomacy at the centre of the two countries’ approach to international issues.

“India and Switzerland both believe in democratic values, rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to work together for global peace and stability. Be it Ukraine or West Asia, India has consistently supported every meaningful effort towards peace. We are also in agreement that reforms in global institutions are essential for addressing the growing global challenges,” Modi said.

Parmelin described the visit as another step in expanding bilateral ties. “My visit is a stepping stone towards further growth, deepening and strengthening of our close, broad and longstanding partnership,” he said, describing India-Switzerland relations as rooted in shared democratic values, trust and mutual respect. He also pointed to the first anniversary of the India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (Tepa) as an opportunity to assess progress and shape the next phase of the relationship.

“Today, innovation, infrastructure and advanced technology have emerged as strong pillars of our friendship. With the Summit today, we are going to give a new pace and height to our partnership,” Modi said.

A major part of the talks centred on Tepa, which entered into force on October 1, 2025. EFTA comprises Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and Tepa carries a stated goal of $100 billion in investment in India and 10 lakh direct jobs over 15 years, targets Modi described as part of an “ambitious blueprint” for investment, innovation, jobs and shared prosperity.

“We have taken several important decisions to enhance market access for India’s exports in Switzerland and to further facilitate investment between the two countries. This will increase the export of India’s agriculture, pharma, textile, and engineering goods to Switzerland. At the same time, we will attract new Swiss investment in India’s important sectors such as biotech, life Sciences, banking, insurance, food processing, and sustainability,” he said.

Modi said joint research projects would soon be launched in health, clean energy and space, while the outcomes included a research cooperation letter of intent and an arrangement with Zurich University of Applied Sciences on innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship.

The talks also identified new possibilities in military exchanges and defence production and agreement to deepen nuclear energy cooperation. No defence pact or specific nuclear project was announced.

On infrastructure, Modi said: “We invite Swiss infrastructure companies to invest in India on a large scale, and to participate in capacity building, design, and manufacturing.”

Mobility, research and artificial intelligence

The two countries also concluded arrangements covering migration and mobility, young professionals, transport infrastructure, scientific research and innovation.

The migration and mobility partnership provides a framework for multiple-entry visas of up to five years, subject to national laws and specified stay limits, and renewable one-year student permits. A separate Young Professionals Agreement provides for exchanges of 300 people annually from each country, with scope to increase the number to 500.

“The migration and mobility partnership agreement and the young professionals agreement signed today will open up many new opportunities in Switzerland for Indian students, researchers, professionals, and youth,” Modi said.

The two sides also discussed responsible, inclusive and human centric artificial intelligence.

“In February this year, India hosted the world’s largest AI Summit. Next year, Switzerland will take this journey forward through the Geneva AI Summit,” Modi said.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Switzerland for the success of the Geneva AI Summit. I am confident that together we will continue to move forward towards making AI responsible, inclusive, and human-centric,” he added.

Parmelin is on his first state visit to India and his second trip to the country this year after attending the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February. His arrival, ceremonial welcome and initial engagements with Modi and the external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, were covered earlier by RNA Media.

Accompanied by business and academic representatives, he will participate in the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7, where Tepa implementation, investment and further economic cooperation will remain central to the agenda.