Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, commenced his official visit to Switzerland on June 9, 2025, marking the beginning of a pivotal five-day diplomatic and economic mission to Switzerland and Sweden from June 9 to 13. This high-level visit underscores India’s unwavering commitment to bolstering its strategic and economic engagements with key European nations, while reinforcing a collective vision of resilient global growth and sustainable development.
Strengthening Ties with Switzerland
The visit kicked off in Switzerland, renowned for its innovation, precision manufacturing, and strong industrial foundation. Minister Goyal’s schedule features impactful engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment. He is set to hold exclusive meetings with global CEOs and leading Swiss business figures to explore fresh opportunities for collaboration in key sectors.
Key focus areas during his Swiss leg include:
- Pharma and Life Sciences
- Precision Engineering
- Machine Tools
- High-tech Manufacturing
Minister Goyal is scheduled to attend a series of focused sectoral meetings and round tables to foster joint ventures and investments between Indian and Swiss industries. He will also meet with members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Zurich Chapter and interact with Indian media, highlighting India’s growing stature as a global economic powerhouse.
One of the key highlights of the day is his meeting with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, a prominent leader in Swiss politics. This crucial engagement seeks to strengthen bilateral relations and foster deeper cooperation in trade and diplomatic affairs.
A key highlight will be Minister Goyal’s participation in Swissmem Industry Day, a flagship event representing Switzerland’s mechanical and electrical engineering sector. He will also join a Business Round Table with the Swiss MEM (Mechanical and Electrical Manufacturing) industry, where discussions will center on the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), evaluating how the agreement could unlock new avenues of growth and cooperation.
Indian industry representatives will accompany the Minister, participating in one-on-one meetings with Swiss corporate leaders. These dialogues will help foster specific collaboration opportunities, laying the groundwork for joint innovation and increased investment flow.
Forging Deeper Economic Cooperation with Sweden
After completing his engagements in Switzerland, Minister Goyal will proceed to Sweden, where he will co-chair the 21st Session of the Indo-Swedish Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial, and Scientific Cooperation (JCEISC) with H.E. Benjamin Dousa, Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.
His agenda in Sweden is equally strategic and collaborative. He is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with:
- Mr. Benjamin Dousa, Minister for Foreign Trade
- Mr. Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade
These deliberations aim to further solidify India-Sweden trade relations, identify mutual priorities, and advance the strategic roadmap for economic cooperation.
A key event in Sweden will be the India-Sweden Business Leaders’ Round Table, where Minister Goyal will interact with top leaders from Swedish industry. One-on-one meetings with major Swedish corporations, including Ericsson, Volvo Group, IKEA, Sandvik, Alfa Laval, and SAAB, will focus on collaborations in:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Green Technologies
- Innovation & R&D
- Sustainable and Clean Solutions
These sectors align with India’s goals of building a self-reliant, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable economy. By fostering greater integration with Swedish expertise, India is aiming to accelerate its transition to a green and innovation-driven economic future.
Minister Goyal will also engage with the Indian diaspora in Sweden, strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties which play a pivotal role in sustaining long-term international partnerships. He will address media interactions, sharing key outcomes of his meetings and India’s strategic vision for deeper integration with European economies.
A Vision for Shared Prosperity
This strategic visit by Minister Piyush Goyal reaffirms India’s growing global leadership and its proactive approach to international economic diplomacy. The emphasis on high-value manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability reflects India’s long-term vision of becoming a global hub for investment, technology, and sustainable development.
By translating high-level discussions into tangible outcomes, the visit is expected to deliver lasting benefits in the form of trade growth, job creation, industrial collaboration, and enhanced people-to-people engagement. It also highlights India’s intent to lead the global charge toward resilient supply chains and equitable economic growth.
As India deepens its engagement with Switzerland and Sweden—two of Europe’s most innovative and industrially advanced nations—Minister Goyal’s visit serves as a catalyst for unlocking new potential and charting a path of shared success.
