Switzerland and India maintain close ties. As Switzerland's fourth-largest trading partner in Asia - and the largest in South Asia - India is a key partner on economic issues. Switzerland imports precious metals, machinery, pharmaceuticals and chemicals from India. Since the treaty of friendship was signed in 1948, Switzerland and India have signed numerous further agreements in a wide range of fields. Negotiations are currently under way to conclude a free trade agreement between the two countries. The delegation intends to take advantage of its first visit to India to find out about the progress of negotiations, and to hold talks with officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
During its stay, the delegation will meet with members of the Indian government and parliament, as well as with representatives from civil society, and be briefed by diplomatic staff in the country about Switzerland's activities in India in the areas of diplomacy, business, mobility, innovation, climate, democracy and human rights.
The delegation also intends to visit branches of Swiss companies active in India, including Sulzer Pumps India to tour a maintenance facility for centrifugal pumps and rotating equipment, and Belimo, a world leader in the development, production and sale of field devices for monitoring the energy efficiency of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Meetings are also scheduled with representatives from Swiss pharmaceutical companies and the technology industry, as well as with Indian investors in Switzerland.
Each year, the Foreign Affairs Committees send a delegation abroad on a fact-finding trip. The FAC-S president, Council of States member Pirmin Bischof (The Centre/SO), will lead this year’s delegation accompanied by Council of States members Andrea Caroni (FDP/AR), and Beat Rieder (The Centre/VS).