Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), engaged in discussions with Swiss State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel during the 11th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. The meeting primarily focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. They also deliberated on regional and global developments.
The MEA highlighted the historical commercial ties between India and Switzerland, tracing back to the 19th century. Notably, negotiations for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commenced in 2008, culminating in its signing in March 2024. This agreement marked a significant milestone, making Switzerland and other EFTA States the first European partners to finalize an FTA with India.
In recent interactions, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met with Switzerland’s State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda to explore investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector. Discussions centered on potential collaborations in research and development, as well as expanding investment avenues for Swiss pharmaceutical companies within India’s healthcare sector.
