India-Switzerland S&T ties: CHF 45 million, Indo-Swiss Research Framework
Why in the news
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh held talks with Swiss President Guy Parmelin in New Delhi on 6 October 2026, with Switzerland committing CHF 45 million to the research partnership.
Key facts
- Indo-Swiss Research Framework (ISRF) and an Indo-Swiss Joint Scientific Board will steer joint research.
- Letter of Intent: between India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
- Implementation arrangement: between DST and Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).
- An “Explore” programme of 9-12 months is due to launch in November 2026; an Academia-Industry Training programme also features.
- Priority areas: artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, space, deep ocean research, blue economy, clean and renewable energy, advanced materials and pandemic preparedness.
- Parmelin invited India to take part in the upcoming Geneva AI Summit.
Timeline of cooperation
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Bilateral S&T inter-governmental agreement |
| 2005 | Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme started |
| 2025 | Seventh Joint Committee meeting in Bern (September) |
| 2026 | CHF 45 million commitment; ISRF |
About the partnership
The meeting was attended on the Indian side by DST Secretary Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare. The Swiss delegation included Dr Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, and Maya Tissafi, Swiss Ambassador to India and Bhutan. Over two decades of joint work has been built through the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme.
Exam angle
- Swiss currency: Swiss franc (CHF); amount committed: CHF 45 million.
- Remember ISRF, SNSF and the 2003 base agreement.
- Switzerland’s President in 2026: Guy Parmelin.