President Droupadi Murmu hosted Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, underscoring the growing potential of bilateral ties under the India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

During the visit, President Murmu received the royal couple and hosted a banquet in their honour, describing TEPA as a significant opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President noted that the agreement creates fresh avenues for collaboration by combining Liechtenstein’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, innovation and financial services with India’s skilled workforce, manufacturing capabilities and rapidly expanding market.

“The President said that with the new opportunities created by the India-EFTA TEPA, we can develop a beneficial partnership by combining Liechtenstein’s expertise in advanced manufacturing, innovation, and financial services with India’s skilled workforce, manufacturing capacity, and rapidly growing market. The two leaders agreed that close bilateral cooperation can bring immense benefits to our people.”

The discussions reflected a shared commitment to strengthening economic engagement and encouraging greater investment flows between the two nations.

The TEPA, signed in March 2024 and in force since October 2025, represents a landmark agreement between India and the four EFTA member states - Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.

The pact aims to facilitate USD 100 billion in investment into India over a 15-year period while supporting the creation of one million direct jobs, making it one of the most ambitious trade and investment frameworks entered into by India with developed European economies.

Both sides identified a range of sectors for deeper cooperation, including advanced manufacturing, machinery and machine tools, precision engineering, medical technology, space technology, clean energy solutions, artificial intelligence and financial services.

These sectors are viewed as natural areas of synergy, leveraging Liechtenstein’s specialised technological expertise and India’s scale, talent base and growth potential.

The agreement also supports broader objectives such as innovation, technology partnerships, trade expansion, investment promotion and sustainable economic development, while strengthening long-term links between Indian and EFTA businesses.

Prince Alois’s latest visit marks his second trip to India this year, having previously travelled to New Delhi in February to participate in the AI Impact Summit.

Earlier in the day, the visiting dignitary was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted him.

Speaking to reporters, Prince Alois expressed gratitude for the invitation and warm hospitality extended by the Indian leadership.

“I am very honoured to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein’s first state visit to this remarkable country.”

Describing the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations, he added, “This historic visit bears testimony to the importance that Liechtenstein attaches to the relationship with India.”

Referring to the implementation of TEPA, Prince Alois said the agreement had opened a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

“We are determined to build on this momentum and strengthen our ties with India even further.”

The visit is widely seen as reinforcing the growing strategic and economic partnership between India and Liechtenstein, with both nations seeking to translate the opportunities created by TEPA into investment, innovation and long-term economic cooperation.

ANI