India-Switzerland Migration and Mobility Partnership signed
Why in the news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Swiss President Guy Parmelin at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, on 5 October 2026. This was Parmelin’s first State visit to India and his second trip to India in 2026, after the AI Impact Summit in February.
Key facts
- Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP): multiple-entry visas valid up to 5 years with stays of up to 6 months, and student permits renewable every year.
- Young Professionals Exchange: 300 persons per country each year, which can go up to 500.
- Transport technologies MoU between Switzerland’s economic affairs ministry (EAER) and India’s MoRTH: electric vehicles, ropeways and circular economy.
- Letter of Intent between India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Swiss National Science Foundation on joint research.
- DST arrangement with Zurich University of Applied Sciences for the Indo-Swiss Academia-Industry Training programme for early-stage start-ups.
- An inaugural Indo-Swiss Research Flagship event was announced.
- A Prosperity Summit with India-EFTA business leaders is set for 7 October 2026; Switzerland will host an AI Summit in Geneva in 2027.
About India-EFTA TEPA
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Entry into force | October 2025 |
| Investment goal | USD 100 billion over 15 years |
| Job goal | 1 million direct jobs over 15 years |
| Significance | India’s first FTA with an economic bloc in Europe |
Switzerland is India’s largest trade and investment partner among EFTA countries.
Exam angle
- Swiss President: Guy Parmelin; venue of talks: Hyderabad House.
- MMP visa terms (5 years, 6-month stays) and Young Professionals numbers (300, up to 500).
- TEPA targets: USD 100 billion and 1 million jobs over 15 years.