NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – India and Switzerland signed five cooperation agreements and arrangements after talks in New Delhi on October 5. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin led the discussions during Parmelin’s three-day state visit. The package covers migration, young professionals, transport, scientific research, innovation and technology transfer. The leaders also reviewed trade, investment, defence, nuclear energy and artificial intelligence. Parmelin’s visit is his first state visit to India and his second trip to the country in 2026.
The migration partnership allows multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years, with visits lasting up to six months. It also provides renewable one-year permits for students. A separate Young Professionals Scheme will initially admit 300 participants from each country every year. Authorities can later raise the annual quota to 500. The programme gives young professionals temporary work opportunities to develop career and language skills. The migration framework also addresses irregular migration, human trafficking, document fraud and the readmission of nationals required to leave.
A transport and infrastructure agreement adds cooperation on electric vehicles, ropeways, tunnels and circular economy applications. India’s Department of Science and Technology also signed a research Letter of Intent with the Swiss National Science Foundation. Another arrangement links the department with Zurich University of Applied Sciences through the Indo-Swiss Academia-Industry Training programme. That initiative supports innovation, technology transfer and science-based startups. The two countries also announced an Indo-Swiss Research Flagship initiative covering areas that include health, clean energy and space.
Trade pact supports wider economic ties
The talks came just after the first anniversary of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement taking effect. The agreement entered into force on October 1, 2025. EFTA includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Its investment framework targets $100 billion in investment in India over 15 years and one million direct jobs. Switzerland said implementation remains on schedule. The two countries are also negotiating a new bilateral investment protection agreement, with the Swiss government describing those talks as advanced.
Modi said the countries had taken steps to improve Swiss market access for Indian farm goods, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering products. He also highlighted Swiss investment opportunities in biotechnology, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing and sustainability. India invited further Swiss participation in infrastructure design, manufacturing and skills development. Existing links include the Varanasi ropeway, Noida International Airport, railway projects and mountain tunnelling. Around 350 Swiss companies operate in India through subsidiaries, branches and joint ventures, according to Swiss government data.
Defence, energy and global issues enter talks
The leaders also discussed wider military exchanges and defence production, but those areas were not among the five signed outcomes. They agreed to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy and continued talks on artificial intelligence. Switzerland plans to host the Geneva AI Summit in spring 2027. The summit follows India’s 2026 AI meeting. Both governments also discussed research cooperation and responsible, inclusive approaches to artificial intelligence. These discussions sat alongside the new agreements on mobility, science, transport and innovation.
Modi and Parmelin also reviewed Ukraine, West Asia, multilateral institutions and global governance during their meeting. India said both countries support dialogue, diplomacy and reform of international institutions. Parmelin travelled with business and scientific representatives and will attend the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7. The event will bring government and business participants together to discuss investment and cooperation under the trade agreement. His programme also includes a visit to Noida International Airport, which a Zurich Airport subsidiary operates.