India EFTA Trade Agreement Targets $100 Billion Investment

The India EFTA trade agreement is expected to bring $100 billion in investment and create 10 lakh direct jobs in India over the next 15 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a joint statement with Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin in Delhi.

PM Modi appreciated President Parmelin’s commitment to India-Switzerland relations and highlighted the importance of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association.

The India-EFTA TEPA came into effect on October 1, 2025. It is India’s first free trade agreement with the four developed European EFTA countries — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

PM Modi Highlights Investment and Job Potential

Speaking alongside President Parmelin, PM Modi said the agreement represents an ambitious framework for investment, innovation, employment and mutual prosperity.

He said:

“With this, we will realise 100 billion dollars investment and 10 lakh direct jobs in India in the next 15 years.”

The investment and employment commitments form a key part of the India EFTA trade agreement, with the pact providing for $100 billion in investment and one million direct jobs over a 15-year period.

#WATCH | Delhi: At the joint statement with President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, PM Narendra Modi says, "...First of all, I appreciate his commitment to India-Switzerland relations. In October last year, with her personal support, we implemented a historic trade and economic partnership agreement between India and European Free Trade Association. This is India's first FTA with any economic block in Europe. This is also an ambitious blueprint of investment, innovation, jobs and mutual prosperity. With this, we will realise 100 billion dollars investment and 10 lakh direct jobs in India in the next 15 years." (Video: DD News)

— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2026

India’s First FTA With a European Economic Bloc

PM Modi described the agreement as India’s first free trade agreement with an economic bloc in Europe.

The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement was originally signed on March 10, 2024, before entering into force on October 1, 2025. The agreement covers areas including goods, services, investment promotion, intellectual property, trade facilitation and sustainable development.

India-Switzerland Economic Ties in Focus

PM Modi also acknowledged President Parmelin’s support for strengthening India-Switzerland relations and for advancing the implementation of the agreement.

The India EFTA trade agreement is designed to expand market access while supporting investment, technology collaboration and employment opportunities in India.

Its implementation marks an important step in expanding India’s economic engagement with Switzerland and the wider European Free Trade Association.