India's Secretary West visits Liechtenstein and Switzerland
| 2023-12-10
Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma holding FOC with Swiss State Secretary Alexandre Fasel in Bern on Dec 8
The visit imparts fresh momentum to India's bilateral relations with the two European countries
This development took place during Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma’s two-day (December 7-8) visit to Liechtenstein and Switzerland
In Liechtenstein, a German-speaking European country, the Secretary (West) held talks with Ambassador Martin Frick, Director, Office of Foreign Affairs of the European country and both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of industrial innovation, digitalization, medical science, and R&D in niche technologies, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.
As per the MEA, the two countries also held discussions on the India-FETA Trade and Economic Partnership (TEPA), India’s G20 Presidency and global and regional issues of mutual interest.
The MEA maintained that the Secretary (West) invited a business delegation from Liechtenstein to India. He also visited the industrial facility of Hilti corporation, a world leader in construction solutions across value chains. Hilti employs around 2000 persons in India.
The Secretary (West) also visited Switzerland in the second leg of his two European nations’ trip. In Bern, he co-chaired the 12th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) with Alexandre Fasel, State Secretary at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland on December 8. The last round of FOC took place on August 2, 2022 in New Delhi.
During the FOC, both sides undertook a comprehensive review of their bilateral relations. The two sides acknowledged that bilateral relations have grown significantly and were dynamic.
Discussions were held on political engagements, bilateral trade and investments, digitalization, innovation, S&T, mobility, and skill development.
Both sides appreciated the on-going discussions on India-EFTA TEPA and Bilateral Investment Treaty between India and Switzerland.
Views were also exchanged on gender empowerment, India’s G20 Presidency, and multilateral issues, including UNSC reforms and cooperation at the UN.
Global and regional issues of mutual interest, including the Indo-pacific, Ukraine and situation in West Asia were also discussed.
Both sides agreed to hold the next round of FOC in New Delhi on mutually convenient dates.
During the visit, the Secretary (West) also called on Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland.
The MEA said, while the visit of Secretary (West) to Liechtenstein provided an opportunity to explore new areas of cooperation, the FOC with Switzerland continued the momentum of bilateral exchanges. India and Switzerland are celebrating 75 years of the India-Switzerland Friendship Treaty in 2023.
There are more than 320 Swiss companies present in India and around 140 Indian companies are present in Switzerland. Bilateral trade stands at above US$ 17 billion.
Switzerland is the 12th largest investor in India with an overall investment of approximately US$ 10 billion.
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