Switzerland and India signed agreements on migration and mobility and on exchanges for young professionals during Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s state visit to New Delhi on Monday. The agreements aim to create legal mobility pathways and allow young people from both countries to undertake professional training placements abroad.
Parmelin met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on the first day of his three-day visit. Talks with Modi covered economic relations, education, research, innovation and migration.
The migration agreement formalises cooperation on education, science and employment. It also covers readmission of people required to leave the country and joint action against irregular migration, human trafficking and document fraud, according to Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Modi said the two countries would work together for global peace and stability, backing dialogue, diplomacy and reform of international institutions.
The leaders also discussed the war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, the United Nations and Switzerland’s role as a diplomatic platform.
Pleased to call on President Guy Parmelin @ParmelinG of the Swiss Confederation, visiting India on a State Visit.
Deeply appreciate President Parmelin’s sentiments towards deepening our partnership, building on the promise of India – EFTA TEPA.
Confident that his meeting… pic.twitter.com/fF0GuwdJvn
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 5, 2026
External Affairs Minister of India, Dr S Jaishankar, meets Guy Parmelin in New Delhi
Four EFTA Countries Have Committed To Facilitating USD 100 Billion In Investment In India Over 15 Years
The talks came as the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement approaches its first anniversary. The agreement covers Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and entered into force on 1 October 2025. Swiss officials said implementation was progressing as planned and that Swiss companies were showing strong interest in India.
The four EFTA countries have committed to facilitating USD 100 billion in investment in India over 15 years, with the potential to generate one million direct jobs. That is a long-term target, not investment already delivered or jobs already created.
Modi said the two countries had agreed to improve market access for Indian exports and facilitate investment.
Possible areas of cooperation include agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering on the Indian side. For Swiss companies, they include biotechnology, life sciences, financial services, food processing and sustainability.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs puts bilateral trade at roughly USD 23.35 billion in 2024–25.
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Switzerland India Sign Agreements, Discuss AI And Global Affairs
Artificial intelligence was another focus.
Switzerland will host an AI summit in Geneva in spring 2027, following India’s AI Impact Summit in New Delhi earlier this year.
Parmelin described the Geneva meeting as a continuation of India’s initiative and stressed the need to include developing countries in international technology discussions.
Parmelin is travelling with a delegation of business and scientific representatives. His programme includes a visit to Noida International Airport, which is operated by a subsidiary of Zurich Airport, and meetings with Indian business and research representatives. The visit ends with the second India–EFTA Prosperity Summit on 7 October 2026.
