The President of the Swiss Confederation is set to visit India to hold extensive talks on a range of issues in bilateral relationship.
How has India-Swiss relationship been?
Switzerland’s favourable gesture to India started off with the swift recognition of India’s independence in 1947.
Subsequently, the conclusion of the Treatyof Friendship in 1948 officially laid the foundations for diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Numerous agreements in a wide range of areas have been concluded between the two countries.
These include trade, investment, development cooperation, education, visas, migration, air transport and science and technology.
The recent joint declaration on the mutual automatic exchange of financial account information gains ground on India's fight against black money.
India has been one of Switzerland’s most important trading partners in Asia, and Switzerland is the 11th largest foreign investor in India.
Swiss direct investment in India had led to the creation of around 1,00,000 jobs.
What are the future prospects?
The upcoming visit aims at deepening the cooperation to address global challenges for the benefit of both the countries.
The mutual opportunities offered by openness and cooperation gains significance in a time of increasing nationalism and protectionism in global nations.
The free trade and economic agreements being negotiated by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and India, holds good for India and Swiss.
Climate Policy - Unpredictable monsoon rains and the melting of glaciers (in the Himalayas and the Alps) are issues of common concern.
This holds scope for cooperation in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, water management and energy.
Energy - India and Switzerland share common priorities in boosting the share of renewables in their energy mix.
A number of joint projects are already under way in energy efficiency and renewable energies and holds further potential as well.
One of them is CapaCITIES, where Switzerland is helping municipal authorities in India to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Infrastructure - The world’s longest railway tunnel, the Gotthard base tunnel, was recently opened in Switzerland.
Switzerland's experience in this major rail infrastructure project can best be used by India for its public transport vision.
Tourism, vocational educationand training, digitalisation are also expected to be on the agenda.
