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

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

Agreements signed by the two sides included one to extend visa durations and student permits. 

Mr. Parmelin is in India for a three-day visit to commemorate the first anniversary of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the four-country European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which came into force on October 1, 2025. 

Inviting Swiss infra investment

“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.”

The two countries 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.

‘Investment protection agreement needed’

Mr. Parmelin is accompanied by a large business delegation, underscoring the Swiss business community’s desire to make the most of the TEPA. However, the Swiss president noted that there are unfinished aspects, which will spur further investments once complete.

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

Longer visas, student permits

The two countries signed five agreements, including Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) and Letters of Intent (LoI), across a wide variety of sectors, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

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 young people 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.

Research and innovation

The Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research 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.

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

The DST also signed an Implementation Arrangement with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, for cooperation in innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.