India, Switzerland seal five pacts to deepen bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin concluded bilateral discussions on Monday that yielded five separate accords, marking a significant deepening of ties between the two nations. The agreements include a migration and mobility partnership pact, a young professionals exchange scheme, and a comprehensive framework for cooperation on transportation technologies, mobility systems, and infrastructure development.

Parmelin is on a three-day state visit to India, his first in an official capacity and his second visit to the country this year following his participation in the AI Impact Summit in February. The talks also covered mechanisms to expand Swiss market access for Indian exports, signalling New Delhi's push to strengthen economic engagement with the Alpine nation.

During the discussions, both leaders emphasised their commitment to international peace efforts, with Modi underscoring that India and Switzerland support all meaningful endeavours toward resolving conflicts. The Ukraine conflict and developments in West Asia formed significant parts of the conversation, reflecting both nations' engagement with global security challenges.

Beyond trade and investment, the two countries agreed to further deepen cooperation in the nuclear energy and defence sectors, areas where Switzerland's technical expertise and India's growing capabilities present opportunities for mutual benefit. The array of agreements underscores a comprehensive bilateral agenda that extends across economic, technological, and strategic domains.