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India, Switzerland sign mobility pacts, widen defence and nuclear cooperation

By CAShorts DeskPublished Updated Source: The Indian Express (with MEA statements)

India, Switzerland sign mobility pacts, widen defence and nuclear cooperation
Illustration (AI-generated)

India and Switzerland signed a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement and a Young Professionals Agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met visiting Swiss President Guy Parmelin on Monday. The two sides agreed to strengthen defence and nuclear energy cooperation and signed a transport and infrastructure pact. The visit marked a year since the India-EFTA trade pact, TEPA, entered into force.

Syllabus: Prelims · Current Affairs & IR; GS2 · Groupings & Agreements; GS2 · Foreign Policies & the Diaspora

Why it matters

The two mobility pacts, which Modi said will give Indian students, researchers and professionals many new openings in Switzerland, provide for multiple-entry visas of up to five years, renewable student permits and a yearly exchange of young professionals. The mobility pact also aims to prevent and combat irregular migration and trafficking. Talks on defence production and nuclear energy take the relationship beyond trade. The visit came a year after TEPA, India's trade pact with the four EFTA countries, entered into force; through it India aims to draw $100 billion of investment and create one million direct jobs over 15 years. Switzerland's wish for an investment protection agreement and for results on intellectual property shows which issues are still open.

Prelims pointers

  • EFTA, set up in 1960 by the Stockholm Convention (distinct from the 2001 Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants), has four members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
  • India-EFTA TEPA entered into force in October 2025; PM Modi called it India's first free trade agreement with any economic bloc in Europe.
  • Young Professionals Agreement: 300 persons per country a year, which may rise to 500, with nationality or residency checks in 30 to 90 days.
  • The President of the Swiss Confederation is elected for a one-year term from among the members of the Federal Council, Switzerland's collective executive.
  • Parmelin: TEPA gives India access to capital, technology transfers and easier market access for high-value-added goods; Switzerland gains trade with a large partner enjoying sustained growth.
  • Switzerland is to host the AI Summit's next edition next year; PM Modi wished it well.

Practise a UPSC-style question

Consider the following statements about the India-Switzerland Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement:

1. It provides for multiple-entry visas valid for up to ten years.

2. It allows stays of up to six months on each visit.

3. It aims to prevent and combat irregular migration, human exploitation and trafficking.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3
Show the answer

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

1 is incorrect: the multiple-entry visas are for up to five years. 2 is correct: each visit allows a stay of up to six months. 3 is correct: the pact aims to prevent and combat irregular migration, human exploitation and trafficking in line with national laws.

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