Shri Sanjay Verma's Visit to Liechtenstein and Switzerland: A Step Towards Robust Economic Ties

On December 7, 2023, Secretary (West) Shri Sanjay Verma held constructive discussions with Ambassador Martin Frick, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs in Liechtenstein. He extended a cordial invitation to a business delegation from Liechtenstein, encouraging them to explore promising opportunities in India. During the visit, Shri Sanjay Verma took the opportunity to tour the industrial facility of Hilti Corporation, a leading global entity in construction solutions. Notably, Hilti Corporation employs around 2000 people in India. This meeting marked the commemoration of 30 years of diplomatic relations between India and Liechtenstein. 

The following day, on 8th December, Shri Sanjay Verma co-chaired the 12th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), held in Switzerland, with E. Mr. Alexandre Fasel , the State Secretary at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The meeting, which took place in Berne, saw a thorough examination of the bilateral relations. Deliberations covered a spectrum of topics, including political engagements, bilateral trade and investments, digitalization, innovation, science and technology, mobility, skill development.

Both sides engaged in a constructive dialogue on various multilateral issues, encompassing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms and collaboration within the UN. The discussions extended to include gender empowerment and regional concerns such as the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and the situation in West Asia. Shree Sanjay Verma also met H.E. Mr. Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research (EAER) of Switzerland. Highlighting the commitment to sustained and meaningful diplomatic dialogue, the next round of FOC is slated to take place in New Delhi

The discussions at Liechtenstein and Switzerland also encompassed crucial topics such as the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership (TEPA), India's G20 Presidency, and various global and regional matters of shared interest. As such, these discussions are a crucial step towards strengthening the Economic ties between the countries.