Modi’s Switzerland Visit: Here Are Five Major Takeaways

As part of his five-nation-tour, Narendra Modi visited Switzerland on Monday to meet with the Swiss President.

Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann speaks with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a bilateral meeting, in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, 6 June 2016. (Photo: AP)

The third leg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five-nation tour took him to Switzerland. Though it lasted just a day, Modi had a series of discussions with the Swiss – and he managed to make several checkmarks on his agenda.

Here are the five major takeaways from his visit:

1. Switzerland Backs India’s NSG Membership

In a strong boost to its bid, India on Monday secured the support of Switzerland for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

“Switzerland welcomes India’s contributions to non-proliferation of nuclear arms,” Switzerland President Johann Schneider-Ammann said. “We promised India support in its efforts to become a member of the NSG.”

Also read: Swiss President Backs Modi for India’s NSG Membership

2. Mutual Support for Non-Permanent Membership of UN Security Council

India and Switzerland shared a commitment to reform international institutions in line with current global realities. “We have both agreed to support each other for our respective bids for the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council,” Modi said.

3. Curbing Tax Evasion Joint Responsibility of the Two Countries

The issue of black money, too, figured in the bilateral talks.

“Combating the menace of ‘black money’ and tax evasion is also our shared priority,” Modi said.

We discussed the need for an early and expeditious exchange of information to bring to justice the tax offenders. An early start to negotiations on the Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Information would be important in this respect.

Narendra Modi

4. To Work On Vocational Education and Renewable Energy

The Swiss’ strong suits of vocational education and renewable energy were discussed.

The President and I agreed to build on the Swiss Vocational and Educational Training system suited to India’s needs.

Narendra Modi

Schneider-Ammann said that the two sides discussed clean technology, energy security, clean air and sustainable development.

Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann speaks with Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch, State Secretary of the Swiss Economic Affairs, SECO, in front of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 June 2016. (Photo: AP)

5. Investment in India

In a business meeting, Modi invited a host of Swiss business leaders to invest in India. “Within my country I need to create two or three Switzerlands. So scope for partnership is immense,” Modi told a gathering of heads of companies like ABB, Lafarge, Novartis and Nestle.

“We want to have manufacturing of global standards. Hence, the Swiss model of skill development is very relevant for us,” the prime minister said.

“India is not just a market of 1.25 billion. We have skills and a government open to business,” he added.

(With agency inputs)