 | |
 India |  Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of India,Bern | Embassy of Switzerland,New Delhi |
| Envoy | |
| Indian Ambassador toSwitzerlandMonika Kapil Mohta | Swiss Ambassador toIndia Ralf Heckner |
India–Switzerland relations refers to the bilateral ties between theRepublic of India and theSwiss Confederation, which include cooperation in trade, science, education, and culture. Switzerland maintains diplomatic representations in multiple Indian cities. India has anembassy inBern and consulates general inGeneva andZurich.[1] In 2023, the two countries marked the 75th anniversary of theTreaty of Friendship signed in 1948.[1]
The contacts date back to the 16th century, when Swiss missionaries such as theJesuitPietro Berno were active in India. In the 18th century, hundreds of Swiss mercenaries in French and British service took part in the colonization of the subcontinent, and the Swiss engineer and orientalistAntoine-Louis Henri de Polier served theEmperor of India for some time. By the 1750s, around 300 Swiss were living in India. From the 19th century onwards, India increasingly attracted Swiss traders, scholars, and missionaries. In 1851, theVolkart brothers founded a trading company in Basel and Bombay, which rapidly expanded its branch network in India and became the backbone of Switzerland's economic and consular presence inBritish India. Official representation also grew: in 1915, Switzerland opened a consulate in Bombay, and by the 1930s, the number of Swiss nationals working in India had risen to over 500.[2]
Shortly afterIndia gained independence in 1947, Switzerland recognized the new state and established diplomatic relations. On August 14, 1948, the two countries signed a friendship and travel treaty, making Switzerland one of the first states to conclude such an agreement with the young Indian state.[1] In 1948, Switzerland opened an embassy in New Delhi; in return, India established a diplomatic mission in Bern. Relations remained close and friendly in the decades that followed. Switzerland became involved in development cooperation in 1961 and financed numerous projects in India, providing a total of overCHF 1 billion in aid.[3] During theBangladesh conflict, Switzerland acted as aprotecting power between 1971 and 1976, representing the interests of India inPakistan and those of Pakistan in India.[1]
In the 21st century, Switzerland and India intensified their relations in politics, economics, and research. Switzerland and India signed a science and technology agreement in 2003, followed by a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the social sciences in 2012. Activities under these agreements are carried out through the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme. Swissnex India, based inBangalore, facilitates exchanges between the two countries in science, education, the arts, and innovation.[1]
At the same time, traditional development cooperation shifted toward global partnerships, and traditional bilateral aid programs were gradually phased out. To deepen political dialogue, regular high-level consultations have been held since 2011.[4] Negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and theEFTA states, which began in 2008, finally led to the signing of a comprehensive Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in March 2024. This is India's first free trade agreement with European countries.[5]
In June 2016, Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi met with Swiss PresidentJohann Schneider-Ammann inGeneva to discuss bilateral cooperation.Reuters reported that Modi said Switzerland had agreed to make combating tax evasion and “black money” a shared priority, and had expressed support for India's bid to join theNuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).[6] In the same month, theBBC reported that China opposed India’s bid to join the NSG, stating that non-signatories of theNuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty should not be granted membership.[7]
In 2021, during theCOP26 summit inGlasgow, theGlasgow Climate Pact was adopted despite a last-minute intervention by India to change the language on coal from “phase out” to “phase down”.[8] Swiss Environment MinisterSimonetta Sommaruga expressed disappointment at India’s proposal to weaken the final wording on coal.[9]
Bilateral trade volume grew strongly over the last decade, reaching around US$27 billion in 2024[10], making Switzerland one of the largest trade partners of India in Europe. India is likewise one of Switzerland’s principal economic partners in Asia.[1] Bilateral trade includes Swiss exports such aspharmaceuticals, machinery, and chemicals, and Indian exports of chemicals, textiles, agricultural products, and precious metals. Swiss companies operate in India through subsidiaries, joint ventures, or branches.[1]
Swiss direct investment in India amounted to around CHF 7.3 billion at the end of 2022, and around 330 Swiss companies are present in the Indian market with subsidiaries or joint ventures.[1] These include large companies such asNestlé,Novartis,Holcim, andABB, which have been manufacturing and investing in India for decades.
Swiss artists such as architectLe Corbusier and artistAlice Boner had a formative influence in India, while Indian film producers (e.g.Yash Chopra) increased Switzerland's profile in India throughBollywood films shot in theSwiss Alps.[1] For many Indians, Switzerland is a dream destination, and in 2023, 600,000 tourists from India visited Switzerland.[11] The opening of a liaison office for the Swiss cultural foundationPro Helvetia in New Delhi in 2007 gave bilateral cultural exchange an additional boost.[1] In addition, there is a growingIndian community in Switzerland of over 20,000 people, while conversely, around 600 Swiss citizens reside in India.
| Africa |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Americas | ||
| Asia | ||
| Europe | ||
| Oceania | ||
| Former states | ||
| Multilateral relations | ||
| Related topics | ||
