India-Swiss deals widen trade push behind $100 billion investment goal

Indian students, researchers and young professionals could gain new opportunities in Switzerland under agreements signed as the two countries deepen their economic ties. The people-focused measures sit alongside a much larger ambition: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India's trade pact with a European bloc that includes Switzerland would bring $100 billion in investment and one million direct jobs to India over 15 years, according to Khaleej Times.

India and Switzerland exchanged several memoranda of understanding, documents setting out areas of cooperation, on Monday at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin attended the exchange after talks between their delegations. The announcements combined efforts to increase trade and investment with agreements intended to make cross-border movement easier for young professionals and scholars.

Wider access for goods and investment

Modi said the two governments had made decisions to improve access for Indian exports to the Swiss market and ease investment between the countries. He identified agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods as Indian export sectors expected to benefit. On investment, he pointed to biotechnology, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing and sustainability as areas where India aims to attract more Swiss capital. The account did not set out individual projects or the value of the newly exchanged agreements.

The wider framework is the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, or TEPA, between India and the European Free Trade Association, known as EFTA. Modi said the agreement took effect in October last year with Parmelin's support. He described it as India's first free-trade agreement with a European economic bloc and presented it as a framework for investment, innovation and employment, as well as trade. The $100 billion and one million jobs figures were his stated expectations for that broader pact over the next 15 years.

Modi said the India-EFTA agreement would bring $100 billion in investment and one million direct jobs to India over 15 years.

People at the centre of the partnership

The Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement and the Young Professionals Agreement add a human dimension to that economic agenda. Modi said the agreements signed on Monday would create opportunities in Switzerland for Indian students, researchers, professionals and young people. He cast connections between the two populations as the partnership's strongest foundation. The report did not provide eligibility rules, application arrangements or the number of people who could participate.

Parmelin is accompanied by senior officials and business executives, India's Ministry of External Affairs said. This is his first state visit to India and his second trip to the country this year, following his attendance at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February 2026. The ministry identified Switzerland as India's leading trade and investment partner among EFTA members, giving the bilateral talks particular weight within the broader agreement.

The next focal point is the second India-EFTA Prosperity Summit, which Parmelin is due to attend on October 7, marking the first anniversary of TEPA's implementation. His itinerary also includes a meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and a banquet hosted by her. The summit will be the next scheduled gathering around the trade framework underpinning the investment, export and employment ambitions outlined by Modi.