“India Day" at the University of Zurich
10 December 2025
Remarks by Ambassador
Dear Professor Gall,
Dear Phil,
My Friend Nik Gugger,
Esteemed Members of Industry and Academia,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaste, Grüezi, and Good Evening
Thank you to the University of Zurich for hosting this India-focused event and to all of you for being here with such enthusiasm. Your presence today shows the growing global confidence in India’s rise — and it is my privilege to speak to you at such a defining moment.
A Partnership Built for Business
India and Switzerland have a long tradition of economic collaboration. Over the decades, our companies have partnered in precision engineering, pharmaceuticals, high-value manufacturing, financial services and scientific research.
Today, this partnership has been significantly strengthened through the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which came into effect on 1 October 2025.
For the business community, TEPA is not just a policy framework.
It is a market-opening tool. A risk-reduction mechanism.
And a long-term strategic opportunity across critical sectors.
What TEPA Means for Investors
TEPA offers clear advantages for businesses from Switzerland and other EFTA countries:
1. Market Access to the World’s Fastest-Growing Major Economy
India is expanding its economic footprint at a rapid pace. We have already become the world’s fourth-largest economy, and are on track to be the third-largest by 2028.
With TEPA, Swiss and EFTA companies gain preferential access to a market of 1.4 billion people — including a middle class projected to reach nearly 500 million in the coming years.
2. Predictability and Regulatory Transparency
TEPA creates a structured, stable, rules-based platform for business engagement.
Our Ministers and senior officials meet frequently, ensuring fast problem-solving and continuity in implementation.
For investors, this means fewer uncertainties and faster resolution of operational issues.
3. Complementary Strengths = High-Value Collaboration
EFTA brings expertise in precision tools, advanced materials, biotechnology, digital finance and clean technologies.
India brings scale, cost efficiency, top-tier talent and a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Together, this creates business models with global competitiveness and attractive returns.
The India Advantage: Stability + Scale + Speed
1. A Reform-Oriented, Stable Business Environment
India is a stable, democratic and reform-driven economy.
Major initiatives — such as Make in India, Digital India, labour code reforms and corporate tax reductions — have significantly improved the ease of doing business.
2. A Young, Skilled Workforce
With a median age of 28 and a rapidly expanding pool of engineers, researchers and digital professionals, India offers one of the deepest talent pools in the world — at globally competitive cost structures.
3. A Surge of Entrepreneurial Innovation
India is now home to one of the world’s largest start-up ecosystems, with thousands of technology-led ventures.
This offers Swiss companies an opportunity to invest in or co-develop cutting-edge solutions in fintech, AI, agritech, healthtech and industrial automation.
Infrastructure That Reduces Costs and Boosts Competitiveness
India has invested heavily in modernizing its logistics, transport and industrial infrastructure:
Bharatmala → boosts highway connectivity
Sagarmala → strengthens port-led logistics
PM Gati Shakti → integrates multi-modal transport for greater efficiency
Modernized railways → faster freight movement
11 industrial corridors → plug-and-play manufacturing zones with ready utilities
For investors, this means:
lower logistics costs, faster turnaround times and smoother supply-chain operations.
These corridors are ideal locations for Swiss and EFTA companies seeking to establish or expand advanced manufacturing, R&D units or global supply-chain operations.
Mobility of Professionals: A Key Business Enabler
One of TEPA’s strongest business benefits is the facilitation of temporary movement of professionals, specialists and intra-corporate transferees.
This allows companies to:
deploy high-skilled personnel quickly,
build mixed teams across India and EFTA markets,
accelerate technology transfer,
and standardize best practices more effectively.
This human capital exchange enhances competitiveness on both sides.
Growing Swiss Interest in India
In my discussions with Swiss companies, financial institutions and industry associations, I have observed a clear trend:
India is no longer being viewed as an emerging opportunity — it is being recognized as a strategic destination.
Many Swiss firms are actively evaluating market-entry strategies, expansion plans, joint ventures and greenfield investments.
TEPA has significantly accelerated this momentum.
An Invitation to Partner in India's Growth Story
Ladies and gentlemen,
The India–EFTA partnership stands at an unprecedented moment of opportunity.
The policy framework is in place.
The economic fundamentals are strong.
The appetite for partnership is growing.
And the returns — in both financial and strategic terms — are compelling.
I invite you to explore India more deeply, engage with our industries and institutions, and be an integral part of this next phase of growth.
India is open, India is ready, and India is moving forward with confidence.
We welcome you to grow with us.
Thank you, and I look forward to meaningful discussions and future collaborations.
