Switzerland has a close and dynamic relationship with India that is reflected in numerous treaties and agreements and in frequent high-level diplomatic visits. The broad-based cooperation between the two countries covers areas including trade, science, education and culture.
India is one of Switzerland's principal partners in Asia. Regular high-level meetings and visits have strengthened relations between the two countries.
Switzerland and India have signed numerous bilateral agreements covering a range of areas (trade, development cooperation, education and vocational training, visas, migration, air traffic, investment, finance, taxation and scientific and technological cooperation).
Switzerland maintains an extensive network of representations throughout India to facilitate access to the various services it provides for Indian and Swiss nationals, companies, academic partners and cultural actors.
In 2023 Switzerland and India celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship signed between the two countries on 14th August 1948.
India is Switzerland's fourth-largest trading partner in Asia, and the largest in South Asia. On 10 March 2024, India and the EFTA states signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). This is India's first comprehensive agreement with European countries. The TEPA has been in force since 1 October 2025.
In 2024, Swiss exports to India totalled CHF 19.8 billion, consisting mainly of precious metals, machinery, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Imports, mainly chemicals, textiles, precious metals and agricultural products, amounted to CHF 2.6 billion in 2024. At the end of 2024, Swiss direct investment in India stood at CHF 10.2 billion. Some 330 Swiss companies are present in India in the form of joint ventures, subsidiaries or branches.
Information on countries, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
A technological and scientific cooperation agreement was signed in 2003. This cooperation has been continuously strengthened through joint research programmes, in particular those implemented by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and its Indian counterparts.
Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme
The mission of Swissnex India, based in Bangalore, is to create a broad network of relations between Switzerland and India in the fields of science, education and innovation.
India is a priority country for the Swiss Confederation's grants of excellence for young researchers.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists SERI
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has been supporting India's development since 1961. Traditional bilateral development cooperation gradually came to an end a few years ago, but the SDC remains active in India through its global programmes. At present, activities are focused on climate change, disaster risk reduction and the environment. Switzerland intends to support India's growth trajectory by contributing to a transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient development model.
Switzerland and India have a long tradition of cultural relations. Many Swiss artists and researchers have been active in India, including the architect Le Corbusier and the painter, sculptor and art historian Alice Boner. On the Indian side, producers like Yash Chopra have set popular Bollywood films in the Alps, bringing the two countries closer together.
The opening of the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia liaison office in New Delhi in 2007 gave additional impetus to cultural relations between Switzerland and India.
According to statistics on Swiss nationals living abroad, 561 Swiss nationals (including 148 dual nationals) were living in India at the end of 2024.
Switzerland recognised and established diplomatic relations with India after the country gained independence in 1947. During the dispute over Bangladesh from 1971 to 1976, Switzerland represented India's interests in Pakistan and those of Pakistan in India. India has an embassy in Bern and two consulates-general, one in Geneva and the other in Zurich.
In 1851 the Swiss trading company Volkart was established in Basel and Mumbai. It quickly expanded its network of branches and diversified its activities on the sub-continent, becoming the backbone of Switzerland's economic and consular presence in India. The number of Swiss nationals working in India rose sharply during the first half of the 20th century.
Last update 13.02.2026
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