Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Doris Leuthard of Switzerland on her visit to today on Thursday, and thanked her for supporting India’s global aspirations.
- In particular, India’s bid for membership to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) last year, were supported by Switzerland.
Prime Minister Modi also sought support in ensuring bilateral financial transparencies, within the India-EU cooperation framework.
- He also recalled his visit to Switzerland last year and pushed for continued closer cooperation.
“Transparency in financial transactions is an issue… Our cooperation continues with the Swiss”, said Mr Modi.
He also pointed out that Switzerland has recognised Ayurveda and sought the visiting Swiss President’s assistance to promote it in Switzerland.
India and Switzerland signed two agreements of immense importance, on railways.
The visiting President later commented that her government was committed to financial transparency and boasted of her country’s strongest laws against money laundering.
- She said, “We have accepted automatic exchange of information on financial issues. Hopefully, the first exchange of information can begin by 2019.”
She later stressed on Switzerland’s commitment to the Paris agreement, and said, “We both believe in rule of law and share common values which will help our future collaborations.”