Government News Summaries from PIB (June 10, 2025)

India and Switzerland have formalized their economic partnership with the ratification of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.

The TEPA agreement, approved by India's Union Cabinet and ratified by all EFTA members, marks India's first free trade deal with this group of developed European nations. The agreement aims to strengthen trade and economic ties, offering tariff concessions on 92.2% of its tariff lines to India by Switzerland.

According to reports, the agreement includes commitments for approximately $100 billion in investments and the creation of about one million jobs in India over 15 years. Key areas covered include market access, investment promotion, intellectual property rights, and sustainable development.

With the TEPA in place, India stands to gain improved access to Swiss and EFTA markets for goods and services, potentially increasing Indian exports. The agreement also paves the way for investment opportunities, with both sides aiming for $100 billion investment inflow, including from Switzerland into India’s sectors such as manufacturing and services.

Sectoral collaboration is another promising avenue under TEPA. With tariff concessions and a supportive framework, sectors like IT and financial services can see expansion opportunities. Given Switzerland’s strong advanced manufacturing and pharma sectors, partnerships in technology, R&D, and clean energy are promising areas.

Cooperation on sustainability, labor, and environmental standards is embedded in the agreement, aligning with India's commitment to sustainable development. Additionally, the partnership offers opportunities for substantial trade growth, investment inflows, and sectoral collaboration, positioning it as a strategic economic relationship moving forward.

A series of technical workshops and pilot projects are planned to reinforce the Digital India mission and position India as a global leader in language AI for public digital infrastructure. The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice organized a Blood Donation Camp at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi as a part of activities under the World Blood Donor Day 2025.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs celebrated 11 years of service under the Modi Government on 9 June 2025, emphasizing transparency, inclusivity, and effective service delivery. On June 6, 2025, the UMEED Central Portal was launched to streamline welfare schemes and empower minority communities. The Ministry pledged continued dedication to inclusive development with a vision of ViksitBharat@2047.

In a commendable show of service beyond professional duties, a total of 22 officers and employees, including 2 lady officers, donated blood, setting an inspiring example. Rigorous third-party reviews and audits are conducted for all schemes to maintain accountability and improve effectiveness. All ministry schemes are now executed or administered through dedicated portals for complete transparency and accessibility.

As part of its mission to uplift minority communities, the Ministry highlighted these achievements. Multilingual chatbots, voice assistants, and over-the-counter enquiry interfaces will be co-developed to support passengers in their native languages. The Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) signed an MoU to collaborate on the development and deployment of multilingual artificial intelligence solutions for Indian Railways.

References:

India-Switzerland TEPA
India-Switzerland TEPA: Overview
India-Switzerland TEPA: Key Highlights
India-Switzerland TEPA: Future Avenues
India-Switzerland TEPA: Critical Minerals and Green Energy
The TEPA agreement serves as India's first free trade deal with a group of developed European nations, led by Switzerland.
The agreement, expected to boost trade and economic ties, offers tariff concessions on 92.2% of India's tariff lines by Switzerland.
The commitment for approximately $100 billion in investments and the creation of about one million jobs in India over 15 years is a significant milestone.
Key areas covered in the agreement include market access, investment promotion, intellectual property rights, and sustainable development.
Improved access to Swiss and EFTA markets for goods and services could significantly increase Indian exports.
The agreement paves the way for investments, with both sides aiming for $100 billion investment inflow, including from Switzerland into India's sectors like manufacturing and services.
Sectoral collaboration, particularly in IT and financial services, can lead to expansion opportunities due to the supportive framework provided by the TEPA.
Given Switzerland’s strong advanced manufacturing and pharma sectors, partnerships in technology, R&D, and clean energy are promising areas.
The agreement emphasizes cooperation on sustainability, labor, and environmental standards, aligning with India's commitment to sustainable development.
The Digital India mission is reinforced through a series of technical workshops and pilot projects aimed at positioning India as a global leader in language AI for public digital infrastructure.
The Ministry of Law and Justice organized a Blood Donation Camp as a part of activities under World Blood Donor Day.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs celebrated 11 years of service under the Modi Government, emphasizing transparency, inclusivity, and effective service delivery.
On 9 June 2025, the UMEED Central Portal was launched to streamline welfare schemes and empower minority communities.
The Ministry pledged continued dedication to inclusive development with a vision of ViksitBharat@2047.
As part of its mission, the Ministry highlighted the development of multilingual chatbots, voice assistants, and over-the-counter enquiry interfaces to support passengers in their native languages.
The Digital India Bhashini Division and the Centre for Railway Information Systems signed an MoU to collaborate on the development and deployment of multilingual artificial intelligence solutions for Indian Railways.
In the realm of personal growth and self-development, numerous online educational resources are available for learning about the TEPA and its potential impacts on India's economy.
The agreement is also a significant step in the realms of international politics and foreign relations, demonstrating India's commitment to global partnerships.
The tech sector stands to gain from increased collaboration under the TEPA, with gadgets and data and cloud computing becoming increasingly integrated into business processes.
The agreement offers the potential for big wins in the fields of science and artificial intelligence, as Indian and Swiss researchers collaborate on cutting-edge research.
As the agreement opens new markets for fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink products, Indian businesses can expand their reach and gain a competitive edge.
The agreement could lead to increased investment in home-and-garden improvement projects, reflecting a growing interest in lifestyle and personal finance.
With the growing popularity of social-media platforms and casino-and-gambling activities, there are opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop new casino-games, online lotteries, and innovative casino-personalities within the entertainment industry.