India-Switzerland Relations refer to the series of bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Swiss Confederation (Official name of Switzerland).
Switzerland established its Consulates General in Mumbai and Bengaluru. India has a Consulate General in Geneva.
India-Switzerland relations got highlighted amid the 4th India-Swiss Financial Dialogue that was held virutally in May 2021. Earlier in 2018, Switzerland and India celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship signed between the two countries in 1948. Hence, this article will give details about the India-Swiss relations within the context of the IAS Exam.
Overview of India-Switzerland Relations
India is one of Switzerland’s principal partners in Asia. Regular high-level meetings and visits have strengthened relations between the two countries.
Switzerland and India have signed numerous bilateral agreements covering a range of areas (trade, development cooperation, education and vocational training, visas, migration, air traffic, investment, finance, taxation and scientific and technological cooperation).
Switzerland maintains an extensive network of representations throughout India to facilitate access to the various services it provides for Indian and Swiss nationals, companies, academic partners and cultural actors.
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Background of India-Switzerland Relations
Switzerland recognised and established diplomatic relations with India after the country gained independence in 1947. During the dispute over Bangladesh from 1971 to 1976, Switzerland represented India’s interests in Pakistan and those of Pakistan in India. India has an embassy in Bern and two consulates-general, one in Geneva and the other in Zurich.
In 1851 the Swiss trading company Volkart was established in Basel and Mumbai. It quickly expanded its network of branches and diversified its activities on the sub-continent, becoming the backbone of Switzerland’s economic and consular presence in India.
The first diplomatic engagement between the countries was a Treaty of Friendship signed at New Delhi on 14 August 1948. Diplomatic missions between the two countries were opened in Bern and Delhi soon after its conclusion.
India-Switzerland Relations: Economic and Cultural Cooperation
India is Switzerland’s fourth-largest trading partner in Asia and the largest in South Asia.
In 2018 Swiss exports to India amounted to CHF 17.4 billion and comprised mainly precious metals, machinery, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Imports, mainly of chemicals, textiles, precious metals and agricultural products, amounted to CHF 1.83 billion in 2018. At the end of 2016 Swiss direct investment in India totalled CHF 4.7 billion. Some 250 Swiss companies have a presence in India in the form of joint ventures, subsidiaries or branches.
Switzerland and India have a long tradition of cultural relations. Many Swiss artists and researchers have been active in India, including the architect Le Corbusier and the painter, sculptor and art historian Alice Boner. On the Indian side, producers like Yash Chopra have set popular Bollywood films in the Alps, bringing the two countries closer together.
The opening of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia liaison office in New Delhi in 2007 gave additional impetus to cultural relations between Switzerland and India.
Get India’s Bilateral Relations notes in the linked article.
Also, aspirants willing to learn more about the IAS Exam, can visit the UPSC FAQ page and get answers to all their queries.
Frequently Asked Questions on India-Switzerland Relations
Q 1. How is bilateral trade between India and Switzerland?
Q 2. What is the India-Switzerland Joint Research Programme?
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