New Delhi, October 5: India and Switzerland on Monday signed agreements on migration and mobility and on the exchange of young professionals, along with three other pacts on transport, scientific research and start-up training, during Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s state visit to India.
The India Switzerland agreements were signed after talks between Parmelin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to the media afterwards, Modi said the migration and young professionals agreements “will open up many new opportunities” for Indian students and professionals.
300 young professionals a year
Under the Young Professionals agreement, 300 people from each country will be able to take up temporary jobs in the other every year to build their professional skills. According to the government, the number may go up to 500.
The Migration and Mobility Partnership provides for multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years, with stays of up to six months on each visit, and renewable one-year permits for students. It also covers cooperation against irregular migration and human trafficking.
Transport, research and start-ups
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways signed an agreement with the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research on transport technologies and infrastructure. It covers electric vehicles, ropeways, the circular economy and tunnels. In his statement, Modi referred to the Varanasi ropeway and Jewar Airport as examples of Swiss involvement in Indian infrastructure.
The Department of Science and Technology signed a letter of intent with the Swiss National Science Foundation for long-term cooperation between the two countries’ research communities. The department also signed an arrangement with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences to run the Indo-Swiss Academia-Industry Training (AIT India) programme for early-stage start-ups.
The two sides also announced the inaugural session of an Indo-Swiss Research Flagship event, to be held with the Ministry of Science and Technology. Modi said joint research projects in health, clean energy and space would be launched soon.
Trade pact and investment target
Modi recalled that the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association, of which Switzerland is a member, came into force in October last year. He described it as India’s first free trade agreement with an economic bloc in Europe.
The agreement carries a commitment of $100 billion in investment in India and one million direct jobs over 15 years, Modi said. He added that it would improve market access for Indian farm products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods, and that Swiss investment was expected in biotechnology, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing and sustainability.
On Wednesday, 7 October, India will host a “Prosperity Summit” with India-EFTA business leaders, which Parmelin is due to attend.
Defence and nuclear energy
“We identified new opportunities for cooperation in military exchanges and defence production. We also agreed to further deepen cooperation in nuclear energy,” Modi said.
The two leaders also discussed Ukraine and West Asia. “India has consistently supported every meaningful effort towards peace,” the Prime Minister said.