Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin will arrive in India on Monday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with talks expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology, innovation and mobility.
The visit, scheduled from October 5 to 7, will be Parmelin’s first state visit to India and his second visit to the country this year. He had earlier travelled to New Delhi in February to participate in the AI Impact Summit.
Parmelin will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior officials and business leaders, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Later on Monday, PM Modi and Parmelin will hold bilateral discussions to review progress in cooperation across a range of areas, including trade and investment, science, technology and innovation, mobility, culture and people-to-people ties.
The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments, including cooperation in multilateral forums.
“On 05 October, Prime Minister Modi and President Parmelin will hold bilateral discussions to review progress in bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas including trade and investment, science, technology and innovation, mobility, culture and people-to-people contact. They will also exchange views on regional and global developments including cooperation in multilateral fora,” the MEA said.
During his visit, Parmelin will meet President Droupadi Murmu, who will host an official banquet in his honour. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also call on the Swiss President.
The visit assumes significance as Parmelin is scheduled to participate in the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7. The event will mark the first anniversary of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) coming into force.
The MEA said Switzerland is India’s largest trade and investment partner among the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.
“India and Switzerland share longstanding friendly relations. This visit will further strengthen bilateral relations, building upon the regular high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in new areas of mutual interest,” the ministry said.
(IANS Inputs)
