Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois met at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on October 27 to discuss trade, investment, technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges, as both countries seek to expand cooperation following the implementation of the India-European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement in 2025.
Key Takeaways
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prince Alois discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, science, technology and innovation.
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Liechtenstein identified advanced manufacturing, financial services, education and technology as key areas for deeper economic engagement under the India-EFTA TEPA.
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Prince Alois’s State Visit aims to build on the trade agreement’s implementation in 2025 and strengthen partnerships in new areas of mutual interest.
The meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Prince Alois, along with Princess Sofia focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across several sectors.
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The visit comes as India and Liechtenstein seek to build on opportunities created by the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which came into force in 2025.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi and Prince Alois discussed trade, investment, science, technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Jaishankar Discusses Trade and Economic Partnership
Earlier on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Prince Alois to discuss bilateral relations and emerging opportunities under the India-EFTA TEPA.
Jaishankar highlighted the growing momentum in the partnership through a post on X. He said the agreement had opened up opportunities across several areas of cooperation.
“A pleasure to call on H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, on a State Visit to India. Our bilateral partnership is witnessing strong momentum across a wide range of domains, driven by the opportunities enabled by India-EFTA TEPA,” Jaishankar said.
The External Affairs Minister also expressed hope that Prince Alois’s meeting with Modi would help advance cooperation between the two countries.
The discussions reflect the importance both sides attach to strengthening economic engagement and exploring new areas of mutual interest.
Prince Alois Calls Visit a Historic Milestone
Prince Alois received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi welcomed him during the official reception.
Speaking to reporters, the Prince thanked the President and the Prime Minister for inviting him to India and extending a warm welcome.
He described the visit as a significant occasion for bilateral relations.
“I am very honoured to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein’s first state visit to this remarkable country,” Prince Alois said.
He added that the historic visit reflected the importance Liechtenstein attached to its relationship with India.
The Prince also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi. He said Liechtenstein wanted to build on the growing engagement between the two nations.
India-EFTA TEPA Opens New Economic Opportunities
Prince Alois highlighted the importance of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force a year ago.
He described the agreement as a significant milestone in bilateral relations. He also expressed his country’s determination to use the existing momentum to deepen cooperation further.
“We are determined to build on this momentum and strengthen our ties with India even further,” he said.
The Prince identified several sectors with strong potential for economic collaboration. These include innovation, advanced manufacturing, financial services, education and technology.
He said India and Liechtenstein possessed complementary strengths that could support mutually beneficial partnerships.
According to Prince Alois, cooperation across these sectors and other areas could deliver lasting benefits to both countries.
The agreement and the State Visit together offer an opportunity to strengthen economic engagement and explore new avenues for collaboration.
Finance Minister and Other Leaders to Meet Prince
Prince Alois’s programme in New Delhi also included meetings with senior Indian leaders.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary were scheduled to meet the visiting Prince later on Tuesday.
He was also due to meet President Droupadi Murmu. The President would host an official banquet in his honour.
These engagements form part of the diplomatic programme accompanying the State Visit.
MEA Highlights Scope for Deeper Bilateral Engagement
Prince Alois arrived in New Delhi from Vadodara in Gujarat on Monday. Union Minister of State Jayant Singh received him at the airport.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit was expected to provide fresh momentum to relations between India and Liechtenstein.
It particularly highlighted the operationalisation of the India-EFTA TEPA in 2025 as an important factor in the growing engagement between the two countries.
The ministry said the visit would help deepen their friendly relations and encourage partnerships in new areas of mutual interest.
The discussions on trade, investment, innovation and technology underline the scope for broader cooperation. Both countries have expressed their willingness to build on existing ties and explore opportunities that can benefit their economies and people.
As the State Visit progresses, the focus remains on translating the momentum created by the trade agreement into stronger economic engagement and wider bilateral cooperation.
The visit comes as India and Liechtenstein seek to build on opportunities created by the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which came into force in 2025.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi and Prince Alois discussed trade, investment, science, technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Jaishankar Discusses Trade and Economic Partnership
Earlier on October 27, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Prince Alois to discuss bilateral relations and emerging opportunities under the India-EFTA TEPA.
Jaishankar highlighted the growing momentum in the partnership through a post on X. He said the agreement had opened up opportunities across several areas of cooperation.
“A pleasure to call on H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, on a State Visit to India. Our bilateral partnership is witnessing strong momentum across a wide range of domains, driven by the opportunities enabled by India-EFTA TEPA,” Jaishankar said.
The External Affairs Minister also expressed hope that Prince Alois’s meeting with Modi would help advance cooperation between the two countries.
The discussions reflect the importance both sides attach to strengthening economic engagement and exploring new areas of mutual interest.
Prince Alois Calls Visit a Historic Milestone
Prince Alois received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi welcomed him during the official reception.
Speaking to reporters, the Prince thanked the President and the Prime Minister for inviting him to India and extending a warm welcome.
He described the visit as a significant occasion for bilateral relations.
“I am very honoured to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein’s first state visit to this remarkable country,” Prince Alois said.
He added that the historic visit reflected the importance Liechtenstein attached to its relationship with India.
The Prince also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening ties with New Delhi. He said Liechtenstein wanted to build on the growing engagement between the two nations.
India-EFTA TEPA Opens New Economic Opportunities
Prince Alois highlighted the importance of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which entered into force a year ago.
He described the agreement as a significant milestone in bilateral relations. He also expressed his country’s determination to use the existing momentum to deepen cooperation further.
“We are determined to build on this momentum and strengthen our ties with India even further,” he said.
The Prince identified several sectors with strong potential for economic collaboration. These include innovation, advanced manufacturing, financial services, education and technology.
He said India and Liechtenstein possessed complementary strengths that could support mutually beneficial partnerships.
According to Prince Alois, cooperation across these sectors and other areas could deliver lasting benefits to both countries.
The agreement and the State Visit together offer an opportunity to strengthen economic engagement and explore new avenues for collaboration.
Finance Minister and Other Leaders to Meet Prince
Prince Alois’s programme in New Delhi also included meetings with senior Indian leaders.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary were scheduled to meet the visiting Prince later on Tuesday.
He was also due to meet President Droupadi Murmu. The President would host an official banquet in his honour.
These engagements form part of the diplomatic programme accompanying the State Visit.
MEA Highlights Scope for Deeper Bilateral Engagement
Prince Alois arrived in New Delhi from Vadodara in Gujarat on Monday. Union Minister of State Jayant Singh received him at the airport.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit was expected to provide fresh momentum to relations between India and Liechtenstein.
It particularly highlighted the operationalisation of the India-EFTA TEPA in 2025 as an important factor in the growing engagement between the two countries.
The ministry said the visit would help deepen their friendly relations and encourage partnerships in new areas of mutual interest.
The discussions on trade, investment, innovation and technology underline the scope for broader cooperation. Both countries have expressed their willingness to build on existing ties and explore opportunities that can benefit their economies and people.
As the State Visit progresses, the focus remains on translating the momentum created by the trade agreement into stronger economic engagement and wider bilateral cooperation. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)