07-10-2011 : On Board Special Aircraft
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,
I have just concluded my State visits to the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Austria, countries which are important partners of India in Central Europe. India shares with them core values as well as strong historical ties of friendship. This has resulted in close mutual understanding and cooperation on a wide range of issues, as also exchange of high level visits.
We were received with exceptional warmth and cordiality in Berne and in Vienna. The gesture of President Micheline Calmy-Rey and President Heinz Fischer to graciously lend their presence in all my official engagements, spoke of their personal commitment to reinforcing the relationship with India. What is more, President Calmy-Rey travelled with me to Lausanne and President Fischer accompanied me to Salzburg.
It was an unparallelled honour for me to commence my visit by paying homage to the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at his statue in Geneva, located close to the UN buildings. That this was on 2nd October, his birth anniversary, made it even more special, as I have always believed that Gandhiji belongs to the world; his philosophy has relevance for all.
Discussions that I had with President Micheline Calmy-Rey and the members of the Federal Council in Switzerland; and with President Heinz Fischer, Chancellor Werner Faymann and President of the National Council in Austria, were meaningful and productive. I observed a clear desire on their part to expand and broaden the canvas of our bilateral relations. I fully reciprocated these sentiments. We agreed to elevate our relationship with Switzerland to the level of a Privileged Partnership. With Austria we agreed to widen and deepen our traditional partnership.
In both the countries, there was agreement about the many opportunities to further our mutually beneficial partnership based on the complementary strengths of our economies. These include areas that are important for our development, and in which Switzerland and Austria are world leaders, such as infrastructure, clean technology and renewable energy. Linkages between small and medium enterprises were also identified as a promising possibility. I highlighted the importance that we in India attach to Vocational Education and suggested that both Switzerland and Austria could partner us in this area.
There is enthusiasm and optimism among the business community about the future commercial prospects with these countries. At the Business Forums in the two capitals, I stressed that new areas of cooperation in hydel and renewable energy should be actively explored. The Governor of Salzburg mentioned to me about the effective way in which they were using their water resources for generation of hydel power.
In the field of Science & Technology, we welcomed the solid progress that has already been achieved in our cooperation with both countries and agreed that it should be further encouraged.
My visit to the Centre for European Nuclear Research, CERN, during my stay in Geneva, was to understand the ongoing cutting-edge research in a premier organization in which India is already collaborating and with which increasing involvement is possible, including associate membership of CERN. I was impressed with the work of CERN. When I asked about research to reduce solar energy costs, so necessary for its wider use in a "sun-shine rich country" like India, the CERN Director said that they would be happy to work with India in energy efficiency and in the avoidance of wastage in transmission and distribution.
Bilateral agreements were concluded with the Governments of Switzerland and Austria. In Vienna, two Memoranda of Understanding were signed - one on Technology Specific Cooperation in the field of Railways and the second on Cooperation in Science and Technology. These are important areas for India.
With Switzerland, a Memorandum of Understanding for a Financial Dialogue was signed. This will provide a general framework to facilitate interaction on macroeconomic and financial issues, and towards strengthening the financial and economic relationship between India and Switzerland.
An Amending Protocol on the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Switzerland was concluded in New Delhi on August 30, 2010. India has completed all the formalities relating to the ratification and entry into force of this Protocol. During discussions, the Swiss President as well as the Swiss Federal Minister in charge of Finance informed me about their procedural requirements. After introducing the Protocol in Swiss Parliament, which was in June 2011, it has to lie on the table of the Parliament for 100 days - this expired yesterday, the 6th of October. I requested the Swiss side to take steps to ensure that the Protocol entered into force expeditiously and sought its effective implementation.
In the Swiss University of Lausanne, along with President Micheline Calmy-Rey, I unveiled a bronze bust of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, an appropriate event as we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Gurudev Tagore's birthday. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed to establish the 'Tagore Chair on Indian Studies'. I hope that the MoU will help bring together scholars as well as students from both countries contributing to a better understanding between our two peoples.
Indeed, the leaderships of Austria as well as Switzerland agreed with us on the importance of initiatives for encouraging people-to-people contacts through academic interaction, cultural exchanges and tourism.
In Austria, during my meeting with the President of the National Council and other Parliamentarians, we discussed the need for expanding Parliamentary exchanges, in which Minister, Shri Rajeev Shukla and Members of Parliament, Shri Darda and Shri Jadhav actively participated. We agreed on promoting a regular and active dialogue between the youth leaders of our two countries drawn from the political and economic fields.
President Heinz Fischer mentioned that the International Anti-Corruption Academy had been established in Austria as a joint initiative with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, European Anti Fraud Office and others. It has become functional since March this year.
I emphasized the overriding priority we accord to tackling corruption and informed him that India would give active consideration to become a member of this Academy.
Both Switzerland and Austria are active in international fora. I was happy that both Governments share our view that there is an urgent need for reforms of the United Nations. They acknowledged that India's candidacy for a permanent seat in an expanded Security Council was unequivocally strong and legitimate.
I also discussed with my two counterparts other international issues of common interest and concern. Foremost, among them was international terrorism which poses a serious threat to world peace and security.
I was happy to meet representatives of the Indian community in both Switzerland and Austria during my stays in Geneva and Vienna respectively. I lauded their contribution in the development of India's cooperation with these countries.
I feel that my State Visits to Switzerland and Austria have been extremely fruitful. The understandings that I reached in my discussions will lead to further consolidation of our ties with Switzerland and Austria, particularly giving a boost to the economic pillar of our relationship.
I hope all of you enjoyed the trip and were able to walk in the amazing gardens in the cities we visited !
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