India-Switzerland Relations 2026, Cooperation, India-EFTA TEPA

India-Switzerland Relations are based on friendship, democracy, rule of law and mutual economic interests. The two countries established formal ties through the Treaty of Friendship in 1948. Their partnership now covers trade, investment, science, education, skill development, infrastructure and people to people contacts. Recent agreements have expanded cooperation into migration and mobility, young professionals, defence, nuclear energy, transport and infrastructure.

India-Switzerland Relations Latest News

India-Switzerland Relations recently expanded bilateral cooperation during Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s visit to New Delhi. Agreements were signed on migration and mobility, young professionals and transport and infrastructure. India and Switzerland also agreed to strengthen defence production, military exchanges and nuclear energy cooperation. The India-EFTA TEPA, which entered into force in October 2025, remains central to economic engagement.

India-EFTA TEPA

The India-EFTA TEPA connects India with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland through a wider European trade partnership.

• Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement: TEPA is a trade agreement between India and the four EFTA States. It is India’s first FTA with an economic bloc in Europe.
• Entry into force: The India-EFTA TEPA came into force in October 2025. Its first anniversary has provided a platform to deepen India-Switzerland economic cooperation.
• Investment target: TEPA seeks to attract $100 billion in investment in India over the next 15 years. It also aims to create one million direct jobs.
• Benefits for India: India expects greater access to Swiss markets for agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods. The agreement can also support capital inflows and technology transfers.
• Benefits for Switzerland: Switzerland gains access to a large and growing Indian market. Swiss businesses can benefit from opportunities in investment, trade and high value added goods.
• Investment protection: Switzerland has expressed the hope of concluding an investment protection agreement soon. It has also stressed the importance of progress on intellectual property protection.

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India-Switzerland Relations History and Evolution

India-Switzerland Relations have evolved from diplomatic friendship into a broad partnership covering trade, research, skills, culture, mobility and strategic cooperation.

• Treaty of Friendship 1948: India and Switzerland signed the Treaty of Friendship at New Delhi in 1948. The relationship reflects shared support for democracy, pluralism and rule of law.
• Cold War understanding: India followed a policy of Non alignment while Switzerland maintained traditional neutrality. These positions created a close understanding between the two countries.
• Bangladesh crisis: From 1971 to 1976, Switzerland represented India’s interests in connection with the dispute in Bangladesh. This reflected the depth of diplomatic engagement during that period.
• Political dialogue: Formal political dialogue between India and Switzerland has been conducted since 2005. Bilateral agreements have expanded cooperation in trade, education, taxation, visas and science.
• Economic engagement: The India-Switzerland Joint Economic Commission was established in 1959. The India-Switzerland Financial Dialogue followed in 2011.
• EFTA negotiations: The 14th round of India-EFTA TEPA negotiations was held in 2016. These negotiations eventually contributed to the wider trade partnership that entered into force in October 2025.

India-Switzerland Area of Cooperation

India and Switzerland cooperate across economic, technological, educational, cultural, infrastructure and people centred areas with growing strategic importance.

The key areas of cooperation under the India-Switzerland Relations are:

Trade and Investment

• Trade partnership: Switzerland was India’s 11th largest trading partner in 2018-19, according to EXIM Bank. India is also Switzerland’s third largest trading partner in Asia.
• Swiss investment: Switzerland invested approximately USD 4.781 billion in FDI equity in India between April 2000 and September 2019. It ranked as India’s 12th largest investor and accounted for about 1.07% of total FDI.
• Future investment sectors: India seeks Swiss investment in biotech, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing and sustainability. TEPA is expected to support wider investment opportunities.

Science, Technology and Research

• Joint research: An Inter Governmental Framework Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation was signed during the Swiss President’s 2003 India visit. The Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme was launched in 2005.
• Research priorities: New joint research projects are planned in health, clean energy and space. These areas can strengthen innovation and address shared development priorities.
• Swissnex India: Swissnex India connects the two countries in science, education, art and innovation. It supports institutional and knowledge based cooperation.

Education and Skill Development

• Excellence Scholarships: The Swiss Government gives priority to India under its Excellence Scholarships. This supports academic and research opportunities for Indian students.
• Vocational training: Swiss institutions have supported the introduction of the Swiss Dual Vocational Educational System in India. This strengthens industry linked skill development.
• Skill institutions: The Bharatiya Skill Development Campus and University, Indo-Swiss Centre of Excellence in Pune and Vocational Training Center in Andhra Pradesh reflect cooperation in skill training.

Infrastructure and Transport

• Infrastructure projects: Swiss expertise has contributed to projects including the Varanasi ropeway, Jewar Airport in Noida and railway and tunnelling projects in hilly areas.
• New cooperation: India and Switzerland signed an agreement covering transport and infrastructure. India has invited Swiss companies to participate in investment, capacity building, design and manufacturing.

Defence and Nuclear Energy

• Defence cooperation: India and Switzerland identified new opportunities for military exchanges and defence production. This marks an expansion of bilateral cooperation into strategic sectors.
• Nuclear cooperation: Both countries agreed to deepen collaboration in nuclear energy. This adds a new dimension to the expanding India-Switzerland strategic partnership.

Mobility and People to People Ties

• Migration and Mobility Partnership: The agreement promotes migration cooperation based on equal treatment. It also addresses irregular migration, human exploitation and trafficking under national laws.
• Longer duration visas: The agreement provides multiple entry visas for up to five years. Each visit can allow a stay of up to six months.
• Student mobility: Renewable one year student permits create additional opportunities for Indian students. The agreement also benefits researchers, professionals and young people seeking opportunities in Switzerland.
• Young professionals: The Young Professionals Agreement provides for an exchange of 300 persons annually from each country. The number may increase to 500.

Cultural and Tourism Cooperation

• Cultural exchanges: Swiss personalities such as Le Corbusier and Alice Boner contributed to India’s architecture, art and cultural understanding. Both countries continue to promote cultural exchanges.
• Indian cinema and tourism: Switzerland has been a popular location for Bollywood film shoots. Tourism and cultural familiarity have strengthened public level connections between the two countries.
• Indian cultural presence: A Mahatma Gandhi statue was installed at Ariana Park, Geneva, on 14 November 2007. A Tagore Chair for Hindi was established at the University of Lausanne in 2011.
• Yoga and heritage: Swiss cities have hosted mass yoga practices through different Yoga schools. The 150th Birth Centenary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at Saas Fe in the Alps on 30 August 2013.

Development and Global Cooperation

• Climate and sustainability: Development cooperation focuses on climate change and global warming. Switzerland has supported municipal authorities through CapaCITIES to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Food and water security: Cooperation also covers food security and water related issues. M.S. Swaminathan has worked with Swiss Development Cooperation on food security and climate change.
• Multilateral cooperation: India sought Swiss support for the India-South Africa proposal at the WTO for a TRIPS waiver related to COVID 19 vaccines and technology.

India-Switzerland Relations Significance

India-Switzerland Relations are significant because the partnership combines trade, investment, technology, mobility and strategic cooperation across multiple sectors.

• Economic opportunities: TEPA creates a framework for stronger trade and investment. The $100 billion investment target and one million direct jobs goal give the partnership long term economic importance.
• Technology and innovation: Swiss capital, technology transfers and expertise can support Indian sectors such as biotech, life sciences, clean energy, infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
• Export expansion: Greater Swiss market access can support Indian exports of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods. This can diversify India’s European trade opportunities.
• Human mobility: Longer visas, renewable student permits and young professional exchanges can strengthen academic, professional and cultural links between the two countries.
• Infrastructure development: Swiss expertise in transport, railways, tunnelling and infrastructure can support complex projects in India. Cooperation also creates opportunities for Swiss companies in design and manufacturing.
• Strategic diversification: Defence production, military exchanges and nuclear energy cooperation broaden India-Switzerland Relations beyond traditional economic and cultural engagement.
• Global cooperation: India and Switzerland can work together on trade, intellectual property, climate change, food security, clean energy and other international issues.
• People to people ties: The Indian community in Switzerland comprises approximately 18,000 Indians, including over 6,300 persons of Indian origin holding Swiss passports. These links add a strong social dimension to bilateral relations.