Swiss President Guy Parmelin Highlights Growing India-Switzerland Partnership

Swiss President Guy Parmelin has highlighted the strong and longstanding partnership between Switzerland and India during his State visit to the country.

LIVE: Ceremonial welcome of President Guy Parmelin of Swiss Confederation at Rashtrapati Bhavan https://t.co/orM9rNoOdc

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 5, 2026

President Parmelin received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking an important moment in his State visit to India.

#WATCH || New Delhi: On his State visit to India, Swiss President Guy Parmelin says, “The visit is an excellent opportunity to emphasise the importance that both Switzerland and India attach to this relationship. The relationship between our two countries is built on shared democratic values, as well as trust and mutual respect. My visit is a stepping stone towards further growth, deepening and strengthening of our close, broad and long-standing partnership...I am especially glad that my stay in India will enable us to commemorate the first anniversary of the entry into force of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, TEPA.” #IndiaSwitzerland 🇮🇳 🇨🇭 #GuyParmelin #IndiaEFTA #TEPA

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 5, 2026

Speaking about the significance of his visit, Parmelin said it provides an excellent opportunity to underline the importance both nations attach to their bilateral relationship.

President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to H.E. Mr. Guy Parmelin, President of the Swiss Confederation at Rashtrapati Bhavan. https://t.co/SMYJ3BXDb9

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 5, 2026

He said the India-Switzerland partnership is built on shared democratic values, trust and mutual respect, describing his visit as a stepping stone towards further growth, deepening and strengthening of the close, broad and long-standing partnership between the two countries.

“The relationship between our two countries is built on shared democratic values, as well as trust and mutual respect,” Swiss President Guy Parmelin said.

Parmelin also expressed particular satisfaction that his stay in India coincides with the first anniversary of the entry into force of the India-European Free Trade

Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
“My visit is a stepping stone towards further growth, deepening and strengthening of our close, broad and long-standing partnership,” he said.

The Swiss President said the anniversary of TEPA provides an opportunity to highlight the growing economic dimension of India-Switzerland relations and the broader engagement between India and EFTA.

The India-EFTA TEPA, which brings together India with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, is aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties and creating new opportunities for businesses and economies on both sides.

Parmelin’s State visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, science, innovation and other areas of mutual interest, further strengthening the close partnership between India and Switzerland.