India and Switzerland signed five agreements following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin in New Delhi on Monday the 5th of October 2026.
Briefing reporters after the signing ceremony, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the agreements cover a wide range of areas, including the Migration and Mobility Partnership, Exchange of Young Professionals, collaboration on transportation technologies, mobility systems and infrastructure, a Letter of Intent between India’s Department of Science and Technology and the Swiss National Science Foundation, and an implementation arrangement for cooperation in innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship.
Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi appreciated President Parmelin’s commitment to strengthening India-Switzerland relations. He noted that India implemented the landmark Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries in October last year.
The Prime Minister described the agreement as India’s first free trade pact with a European economic bloc and termed it an ambitious framework aimed at promoting investment, innovation, employment and shared prosperity.
Under the agreement, India expects to attract investments worth US$100 billion and generate one million direct jobs over the next 15 years.
Prime Minister Modi said both countries had taken several important decisions to improve market access for Indian products in Switzerland and further facilitate bilateral investment. He added that the measures would boost exports of Indian agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods to Switzerland.
President Parmelin arrived in the national capital on Monday morning on a three-day State Visit to India. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior government officials and business leaders.
He was received at Palam Air Force Station by Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta.
Later, the Swiss President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced him to members of the Union Cabinet.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremonial reception, President Parmelin said the visit offered an excellent opportunity to underscore the importance that both Switzerland and India attach to their bilateral relationship.
He said the partnership between the two countries is founded on shared democratic values, trust and mutual respect. The Swiss President described the visit as a stepping stone towards further expanding, deepening and strengthening the long-standing and multifaceted partnership between the two nations.
