New Delhi, 27 October (H.S.): Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois, the country’s acting head of state, received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prince Alois is visiting India with his wife, Hereditary Princess Sophie. During the ceremony, he interacted with the Indian delegation, while President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi met members of the Liechtenstein delegation.

President Murmu, Prime Minister Modi and Hereditary Prince Alois also posed for a joint photograph at Rashtrapati Bhavan as part of the formal welcome ceremony.

Subsequently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Prince Alois and highlighted the growing opportunities for bilateral cooperation arising from the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.

Jaishankar said, “India’s bilateral relations with Liechtenstein are gaining significant momentum across several areas, supported by the opportunities created by the India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.”

Prime Minister Modi and Hereditary Prince Alois are scheduled to hold high-level bilateral talks in New Delhi later on Tuesday to further strengthen relations between the two countries. The discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. The two leaders will also exchange views on key regional and global developments.

Prince Alois is also scheduled to meet President Murmu later in the evening, when a dinner will be hosted in his honour.

This is Prince Alois’s second visit to India this year. He had previously travelled to New Delhi in February to participate in the AI Impact Summit.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar