Swiss President Guy Parmelin to Visit India as EFTA Economic Partnership Deepens

Swiss President Guy Parmelin will visit India from October 5 to 7, 2026, as India and Switzerland mark the first anniversary of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement coming into force. His programme will include talks with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior Indian leaders, along with business, research and investment engagements.

Modi-Parmelin Talks to Focus on Economic Cooperation

Talks on October 5 are expected to cover trade, investment, science and technology, education, innovation, mobility and international developments.

The visit comes as both countries work to expand cooperation under the India-EFTA trade agreement, particularly in precision engineering, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and research and development.

India-EFTA Agreement Enters Second Year

The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement entered into force on October 1, 2025, after being signed in March 2024.

A central feature of the agreement is EFTA’s commitment to promote $100 billion in investment in India over 15 years and facilitate one million direct jobs. The pact also improves market access in goods and services while creating mechanisms for investment facilitation and technology cooperation.

Second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit

Parmelin will participate in the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7 with representatives from India, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The summit will focus on the first year of TEPA implementation, new investment opportunities and stronger business-to-business engagement between India and the EFTA countries.

Noida Airport and Research Engagements

On October 6, Parmelin is scheduled to visit Noida International Airport, operated by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a subsidiary of Zurich Airport. The visit highlights Swiss participation in India’s infrastructure sector.

He is also expected to meet business representatives and attend an event focused on scientific cooperation. More than 330 Swiss companies operate in India across engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, logistics, aviation, financial services, information technology and food processing.

India-Switzerland Ties Broaden Beyond Trade

India and Switzerland already cooperate in higher education, scientific research, innovation and technology. During Parmelin’s February 2026 visit for the India AI Impact Summit, discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal focused on using TEPA to deepen cooperation in sectors such as health sciences, renewable energy, precision engineering and research and development.

India is Switzerland’s second-largest trading partner in Asia and its largest in South Asia, according to the Swiss government. Parmelin’s October visit places investment, technology and implementation of the India-EFTA agreement at the centre of the next phase of bilateral relations.

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References

Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research — “Presidential visit to India marks first anniversary of free trade agreement”, October 1, 2026
https://www.efd.admin.ch/en/newnsb/JCmjlmrgdWi8

Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce & Industry — “India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement enters into force”, October 1, 2025
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2173964

Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce & Industry — “India–EFTA TEPA comes into force with USD 100 billion investment objective and one million direct jobs”, October 1, 2025
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2173968

Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce & Industry — “Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal Holds High-Level Meeting with President of the Swiss Confederation H.E. Mr. Guy Parmelin”, February 19, 2026
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2230274

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