New Delhi, 05 October (H.S.): India and Switzerland on Monday signed new agreements covering transport, mobility and infrastructure, migration and mobility, and young professionals. The agreements also include new joint research initiatives in the fields of healthcare, clean energy and space. The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to peace, diplomacy and the reform of global institutions.

A total of five agreements were signed between the two countries today. The two sides also announced the inaugural session of the India-Switzerland Research Flagship Programme, organised in collaboration with the Ministries of Science and Technology of the two countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive discussions with Swiss President Guy Parmelin at Hyderabad House today. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said on X that several important decisions had been taken to expand market access in Switzerland for Indian exports and further facilitate investment between the two countries. These measures will help increase India’s exports of agricultural, pharmaceutical, textile and engineering products to Switzerland, while attracting fresh Swiss investment into key sectors in India, including biotechnology, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing and sustainability. Through these initiatives, the two countries will work together to develop trusted supply chains and reliable solutions for the world.

The two leaders reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation in trade and investment, innovation and artificial intelligence, military exchanges and defence production, nuclear energy, science and technology, and people-to-people ties. They welcomed the positive momentum generated in economic cooperation by the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing an innovation-driven partnership.

In a joint statement, Prime Minister Modi said India had hosted the world’s largest AI summit in February. Next year, Switzerland will carry this journey forward by hosting the AI Summit in Geneva. He expressed confidence that the two countries would continue to work together towards making artificial intelligence responsible, inclusive and human-centric.

The Prime Minister said the two countries had decided to continue working together for global peace and stability. They also agreed on the need to reform global institutions to address the growing challenges facing the international community.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin said that cooperation in science and technology was also a strong pillar of the bilateral partnership. He expressed satisfaction that the two countries would soon launch joint research projects in priority areas such as healthcare, clean energy and space. He welcomed the agreement with the University of Zurich aimed at building the capacity of Indian science start-ups. In view of the growing popularity of yoga and Ayurveda, the two sides also held positive discussions on strengthening cooperation in these fields.

The two sides identified new opportunities for military exchanges and cooperation in defence production. They also agreed to further deepen cooperation in nuclear energy. The ropeway in Varanasi, Jewar Airport in Noida, and railway and tunnel construction projects in mountainous regions are outstanding examples of infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar