Embassy of India
Bern
Remarks by Ambassador on the occasion of the ID Reception
August 15, 2018
Excellencies, Fellow Diplomats, Friends of India, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great honour to welcome each one of you to celebrate the 72nd Independence Day of India.
In the morning today, we hoisted Indian Tricolor flag at India House in Berne. A few hours before, we organized a ‘Digital India Summit- IT to AI’ in Berne. I am happy to note many of our Indian Associations in Switzerland are celebrating the Independence Day in several cities through various programs.
This year is special year for India – Swiss relationship. It was on August 14, 1948 that India and Switzerland signed a Treaty of Friendship, a treaty between the world’s largest democracy and one of the oldest democracy. Quoting my Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi I can tell, “in the last seven decades, our friendship with Switzerland has consistently seen an upward trajectory.”
I am happy to note that in the last few years we had several high level exchanges between India and Switzerland. Prime Minister Modi was in Switzerland in June 2016. Swiss President was in New Delhi on a State visit in August 2017 during which we issued a forward looking comprehensive Joint Statement which calls for a long term dynamic partnership.
In January 2018, Prime Minister Modi was in Switzerland to deliver the opening key-note address at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. And last week we had the Foreign Minister of Switzerland H.E. Dr. Ignazio Cassis visiting New Delhi and the historic city of Varanasi. I was happy to attend the celebrations of the 70th anniversary in New Delhi last week along with HE Ambassador RaphelNageli during the visit Foreign Minister HE Dr. Cassis.
This is my first Independence Day celebrations in Switzerland. In the last few months, I had the honorto meet and engage with most of you in Bern or at your home city. I see here a large number of friends of India, well-wishers of India, who have contributed to build a solid, vibrant and multifaceted, forward looking relationship between India and Switzerland. I see here several business leaders who have availed the opportunities that Indian economy has offered in recent years as the fastest growing economy in the world.
In fact, our business engagement with Switzerland is growing rapidly. Our bilateral trade today is nearly USD 20 billion, which makes India the largest export destination for Switzerland from Europe. The engagement between Indian and Swiss companies are deepening. India’s Flagship Programmes like Make in India, Smart Cities, Digital India, Swachh Bharat (Clean India), Startup India, Skill India and other initiatives are resonating well in this land of innovation and competitive edge.
Every Canton, every city and every small township in this beautiful country has something unique to offer. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that I have seen an India connection in every nook and corner of Switzerland. Almost every city in Switzerland has an Indian restaurant and also group of citizens who believe in yoga and practice it every day. Every museum in this country has some India connection. Every year several hundreds of thousands of Indians travel to Switzerland to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of India. Each year several thousands of Swiss nationals travel to India for tourism and business. Indian film industry continues to look at Switzerland as a shooting destination.
This year we have been celebrating India in Switzerland. With your participation we celebrated International Day of Yoga and Ayurveda festivals in twelve cities in Switzerland. We are set to celebrate a Festival of India in several cities in Switzerland. We have a variety of artists from India set to perform in during September to December 2018, to commemorate the 70th anniversary. We are celebrating a Namaste Switzerland, a celebration of Indian culture, in December this year.
I once again welcome each one of you to this evening. I now request Ambassador RaphelNagelito say a few words.
Thank you.
