Patanjali Civil Services Academy

India–Switzerland Relations: New Areas of Cooperation [Prelims Bits]

Tags: Prelims Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Hindu

Context:India & Switzerland agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, nuclear energy, transport, infrastructure, research and innovation.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin visited India to mark 1 year of the India–EFTA TEPA, effective 1 October 2025.
EFTA (European Free Trade Association): 4 members — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
India–EFTA TEPA: Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement; came into force 1 Oct 2025.
Migration & Mobility Partnership:
- Multiple-entry visas up to 5 years; stay up to 6 months per visit.
- 1-year renewable student permits.
- Cooperation against irregular migration, human trafficking and exploitation.
Young Professionals Agreement: Temporary employment exchange for professional/language skills; 300 persons annually per country, potentially rising to 500.
Science & Technology: DST–Swiss National Science Foundation cooperation to strengthen long-term research collaboration.
Other cooperation: defence production & military exchanges, nuclear energy, transport, mobility and infrastructure.
Switzerland sought progress on an Investment Protection Agreement and intellectual property protection.

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and India–EFTA relations:

EFTA is a regional organisation distinct from the European Union.
All EFTA members are members of the European Union.
India’s Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with EFTA covers areas extending beyond conventional tariff concessions, including trade, investment and economic cooperation.
Switzerland, despite being an EFTA member, is not a member of the European Union.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: EFTA is a separate intergovernmental organisation from the EU.
Statement 2 is incorrect: EFTA has four members—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland—none of which is an EU member.
Statement 3 is correct: The India–EFTA TEPA represents a broader economic partnership rather than merely a tariff-reduction arrangement.
Statement 4 is correct: Switzerland is an EFTA member but not an EU member.