← 16 October 2026's Current Affairs · International Relations GA Prelims ★★★☆☆ Mains ★★★☆☆
India and Switzerland agree to expand trade ties, sign migration and mobility pact
Why in News?
Switzerland is in EFTA, not the EU: the grouping behind India's TEPA that Prelims tests
India and Switzerland have agreed to expand their trade ties and signed a migration and mobility pact.
Why it matters: general awareness
What you need to know
2 min read
India and Switzerland have agreed to expand their trade ties and signed a migration and mobility pact.
Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association, with which India has a trade and economic partnership agreement.
Sources: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
Key facts
Remember these
- India and Switzerland agreed to expand trade ties and signed a migration and mobility pact.
- Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
- EFTA members are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
- India has a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the EFTA states.
- Switzerland is neither an EU member nor part of the European Economic Area.
Prelims · Mains
How the exam will ask it
Prelims
- EFTA comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein; Switzerland is not a member of the European Union.
- India's TEPA is a trade agreement with the EFTA states, not with the European Union.
- A migration and mobility pact facilitates the movement of students, professionals and workers between two countries.
Mains
GS-II (International Relations): India's trade agreements with European partners. The TEPA with EFTA provides the framework, and the new mobility pact adds people-to-people movement to it. Implications include market access, investment and skilled-worker mobility; the way forward is timely implementation of TEPA commitments and safeguards for domestic sectors.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Switzerland, with which India has agreed to expand trade ties, belongs to which trade grouping?
- European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
- European Economic Area (EEA)
- European Union (EU)
- Eurasian Economic Union
Show answer
Answer: A — The correct answer is European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Switzerland is a member of EFTA along with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. India's trade and economic partnership agreement is with the EFTA states. Switzerland is neither an EU nor an EEA member.
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