EAM Jaishankar’s Crucial Talks: Strengthening Trade and Tackling Global Issues with Swiss Counterpart
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar Holds Strategic Talks with Swiss Counterpart in Geneva
Geneva, Sep 14 (PTI) — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in comprehensive discussions with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, focusing on boosting bilateral ties and expanding trade under the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) disclosed these details on Saturday.
Jaishankar, on a two-day visit which concluded on Friday, received a special welcome from Cassis in Geneva, reflecting the significance of the meeting. Their dialogue primarily concentrated on leveraging the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed in March, through which India secured a USD 100 billion investment commitment from EFTA members – Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Beyond trade, the discussions covered global and regional issues of mutual interest. During his stay, Jaishankar also met leaders of key international organizations, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He shared India’s stance on multilateralism, human rights evolution, and enhancing global health cooperation, particularly in promoting traditional medicine systems.
Among the visit’s highlights was the dedication of the newly built Permanent Mission of India in Geneva. This state-of-the-art facility will accommodate India’s UN missions, the Conference on Disarmament, the World Trade Organisation, and the Consulate General of India.
Jaishankar also unveiled a statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the chief architect of India’s Constitution, at the Permanent Mission and honored Hansa Mehta, an Indian reformer, by naming a hall after her. Mehta notably contributed to gender-sensitive language in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additionally, Jaishankar participated in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative by planting a tree.
Interacting with the Indian community and Friends of India, Jaishankar emphasized India’s rapid progress and strategic vision. He concluded his visit with a speech at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy on “Global Tectonics: The Indian View of a World in Churn,” drawing a diverse audience from diplomatic, academic, and diaspora circles.
The discussions and activities over these two days underscored the deepening India-Switzerland relations and India’s active role in global forums.
Original Story https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2024/09/15/eam-jaishankar-discusses-trade-global-and-regional-issues-with-swiss-counterpart/
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