10.08.2018

New Dehli (Inde), 10.08.2018 - Discours du Conseiller fédéral Ignazio Cassis

Orateur: Chef du Département, Ignazio Cassis

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Indian and Swiss Friends,

We have gathered here today to celebrate 70 years of friendship between India and Switzerland, two countries that on first sight have little in common: India, a great power with over 1 billion inhabitants and over 7,500 km of coastline; Switzerland, a small, landlocked country with a medium-sized economy, which has less than half as many inhabitants as New Delhi .

And yet, shortly after India’s independence, Switzerland and India felt they had something in common. Something that called for more than just diplomatic relations – something that called for friendship. In 1948, our two countries signed a Treaty of Friendship.

The stated goal was, and I quote from the treaty text, that “there shall be perpetual peace and unalterable friendship between […] India and Switzerland”.

This treaty teaches us an important lesson: one does not need to be identical to develop a lasting and deep friendship. But one needs to share values and a vision. Indeed, we share a desire for peace. We both value democracy. Switzerland is one of the oldest democracies in the world; India is the biggest. Both in India and in Switzerland, we value cultural and linguistic diversity. I myself come from a linguistic minority in Switzerland and am proud to represent my entire country as foreign minister.

Further, both our countries value their sovereignty and independence.
In fact, this is the second reason why we have gathered here today. Every year on the first of August, Switzerland celebrates its national day.

It is an old and proud tradition that also commemorates a sort of treaty of friendship: one that was concluded 727 years ago between three valleys, from which Switzerland later emerged.
In it, the three valleys also vow “perpetual” peace. So to all Swiss citizens and friends of Switzerland, I say in the typical Swiss way (and untypically late for a Swiss): Happy First of August!

Will the friendship treaty between Switzerland and India be as enduring as the one the Swiss commemorate on the first of August? Looking back at the last 70 years, I am optimistic. Relations between our countries are close, with roots that run deep. We have concluded over 25 bilateral treaties.

Furthermore, in the last twelve months alone, the Swiss President has visited India and the Indian Prime Minister has visited Switzerland. But not only politicians travel. In 2017, Switzerland issued over 130,000 visas to Indian citizens. Indeed, no other Swiss embassy anywhere in the world issues more visas than our embassy here in New Delhi.

This shows that the friendship between our countries truly is a people-to-people friendship.

The broad variety of Switzerland’s presence here in India also reflects the richness of our friendship. The embassy here in New Delhi, two consulates general – one in Mumbai and one in Bangalore – together with an honorary consulate in Chennai and one in Kolkata, are weaving the Swiss-Indian fabric, making it more sustainable, colourful and robust.

They are assisted by the Swiss Business Hub in Mumbai, which supports cooperation between the private sectors in our countries, and the Swissnex in Bangalore, which connects Switzerland and India in the fields of science, education, art and innovation.

And there is the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia here in New Delhi, which promotes cultural exchanges between our two countries.

Tonight, we add to this list eight “friendship ambassadors”. We honour them tonight for their outstanding contribution to the friendship between our countries. Each of them has, in their respective field, contributed to the ever closer bonds that unite us. 

What started 70 years ago with a solemn treaty has evolved into a multifaceted and close relationship.

The Swiss embassy has organised over the past year a series of events, labelled “Connecting Minds - Inspiring the Future.” Because when we look back on seven decades, we do it to inspire ourselves for the future. So where are Swiss-Indian relations going?

Let me mention two fields for the years to come: at a time when protectionism gains ground in many places, we want to seize the opportunities offered by openness and cooperation. That includes the trade and economic partnership agreements currently under negotiation between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and India. I sincerely hope that we will soon be able to add this agreement to the list of things achieved under the Indian-Swiss friendship. It will increase our already intensive economic ties for the benefit of both.

Second, one of the biggest challenges for humankind is climate change. Unpredictable monsoon rains and melting glaciers in the Himalayas will have an impact on the lives of millions of people in India. The glaciers are receding in Switzerland too, threatening villages and valleys, impacting tourism and influencing water management. It is therefore important to continue our cooperation in the fields of climate change and sustainable development.

Free trade and cooperation on issues of mutual interest are adding to the already strong and steadfast foundation that is the friendship between India and Switzerland. Our two countries will, in the spirit of the Treaty of Friendship, continue to “consolidate the bonds of peace and friendship, which have ever existed between the two States”.

I am confident that when our successors will gather again, another 70 years from now, to celebrate our friendship, they will be able to look back on a friendship which is twice as long and still just as close.

I wish you a pleasant evening and a happy Swiss national day celebration!


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Editeur:

Département fédéral des affaires étrangères


Dernière mise à jour 06.01.2023

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