India, Switzerland identify areas of cooperation in defence, nuclear energy: PM Modi

India and Switzerland have identified new opportunities for cooperation in areas of defence and nuclear cooperation in nuclear energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said following a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Guy Parmelin in New Delhi on Monday (October 5, 2026).

The two sides signed several agreements on Monday (October 5), including one on mobility that would see longer visa durations and student permits. 

Mr. Paremelin began a three-day visit to India on Monday (October 5) to commemorate the first anniversary of the coming into force of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the four-country European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The TEPA entered into force on October 1, 2025. 

Several areas of cooperation

“Today, we identified new opportunities for cooperation in military exchanges and defence production,” Mr. Modi said in a statement following the meeting. “We also agreed to further deepen cooperation in nuclear energy.”

He added that the two countries had also signed an agreement on transport, mobility, and infrastructure.

“We invite Swiss infrastructure companies to invest in India at a large scale and participate in capacity building, design, and manufacturing,” Mr. Modi said.

Steps needed to promote investment

During his address, Mr. Paremelin said that he has been accompanied by a large delegation of business figures from Switzerland, which underscores their desire to make the most of the TEPA. 

However, he also added that there are some aspects that remain undone, the completion of which would further spur investments. 

“To continue stimulating investment, Switzerland hopes to conclude an investment protection agreement quickly,” Mr. Paremelin said. “In this context, it is equally important to achieve results in the discussions on intellectual property protection.”

Longer visa pact inked

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides on Monday (October 5) cumulatively signed five agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), and Letters of Intent (LoI) across a wide variety of sectors. 

The MoU on Migration and Mobility Partnership “aims to develop migration and mobility cooperation under equal treatment principles, and to prevent and combat irregular migration/human exploitation/trafficking in accordance with national laws”, the MEA said. 

“It provides for multiple-entry visas for up to 5 years, including stays of up to 6 months on each visit, and renewable 1-year student permits,” it added. 

The Agreement on the Exchange of Young Professionals covers the exchange of young professionals taking up temporary employment in the other country to enhance their professional and language skills within their field. This agreement incorporates an exchange of 300 people annually per country, which “may” increase to 500, among other provisions.

Agreements in other areas

The Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) and India’s Ministry of Road Transport & Highways signed an MoU on the Promotion and Collaboration on Transportation Technologies, Mobility Systems and Infrastructure in Identified Areas.

Further, an LoI was signed between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to promote long-term cooperation between the Indian and Swiss research communities.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences signed an Implementation Arrangement for cooperation in innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship.