India seeks Switzerland’s support to enhance global efforts to defeat and destroy all manifestations of terrorism: Prez Kovind
Zurich, September 14: Strengthening the bilateral ties in all dimensions, President Ram Nath Kovind, on Friday, emphasized the need to strengthen India-Switzerland joint work in defeating and destroying all manifestations of terrorism.
President Ram Nath Kovind, along with Ueli Maurer, the President of the Swiss Confederation, addressed the Federal Council of Switzerland in Berne on Friday. The Federal Council is the highest executive authority in Switzerland. It comprises seven members, who are elected by the Federal Assembly.
In his address, President Kovind said that India - Switzerland partnership has made significant progress. Our complementary strengths make us natural partners. India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy. We have set a target to become a 5 trillion economy by 2025. Around 65 percent of our population is below 35 years of age. Our youth has the drive, energy and confidence to script the machine-intelligence age and to draw the contours of the 4th Industrial Revolution. We are skilling and empowering them to convert our demographic profile into a demographic dividend. We count on Switzerland’s cooperation to make them drivers of our growth and prosperity.
The President was happy to note that India-Switzerland will have the first automatic exchange of information on tax matters in the coming weeks. He said that it is a very positive development. The President highlighted the linkages between tax evasion and money laundering with terrorism. He said that the scourge of terrorism is among the gravest challenges that the world faces today. India has been a victim of state-sponsored terrorism for decades and it seeks Switzerland’s support to enhance global efforts to defeat and destroy all manifestations of terrorism, he said.
Later, the President led the delegation-level talks with his counterpart, witness the signing of MOUs/agreements and address the India-Switzerland Business CEOs Forum. He also attended a banquet hosted by the Swiss President.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the President attended Indian Community and Friends of India reception hosted by Shri Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Switzerland in Berne. Addressing the gathering, the President said that India is proud of its vibrant and diverse diaspora which has earned respect throughout the world. In Switzerland, our Diaspora include members of Federal and Cantonal Parliaments, CEOs and senior executives of several companies, senior Government officials, professors, doctors, engineers and medical professionals. We also have an increasing number of Indian students at premier Swiss Universities. All of them are the bridge that brings our two countries closer to each other. He appreciated Indian Embassy and the Indian Associations in Switzerland for the growing cultural engagement between our two peoples.