Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Switzerland, Doris leuthard, discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in combating the menace of tax evasion and black money during their meeting on Thursday.
The two leaders also agreed to collaborate in the transportation sector. Following their talks, two pacts were signed in the Railways sector.
leuthard is on a three-day visit to India. The Swiss President is accompanied by senior Government officials and a large business delegation of leading Swiss companies. Prior to their delegation-level talks, Modi and leuthard also held a meeting with the business community to explore ways to improve trade and investment between the two countries.
later, during their talks the two leaders discussed bilateral, regional and international issues. The PM thanked the Swiss President for her country's support for India's entry into the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG) and for supporting India's membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
“We had productive talks on international, regional and bilateral issues…We also discussed about Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between India and European Free Trade Association…Both sides have expressed commitment to conclude the agreement,” Modi said at a joint Press event with leuthard. He asserting that transparency in financial transactions was a matter of concern worldwide.
The two leaders also noted that India and Switzerland has very good cooperation on combating tax evasion and black money. On her part leuthard said she was hopeful of the law on automatic exchange of information being cleared by the Swiss Parliament by the end of this year.
Agreements were signed between Konkan Railway Corporation limited and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, and between Ministry of Railways and Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications of the Swiss Federation on Technical Cooperation in Rail Sector.