EFTA and India celebrate one year of Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement

At the second Prosperity Summit in New Delhi on 7 October 2026, EFTA and India celebrated the first anniversary of their Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).

The occasion was marked with a high-level event hosted by Indian Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agarwal and attended by Swiss President Guy Parmelin; Liechtenstein Minister of Home Affairs, Economy and Sport Hubert Büchel; Norwegian State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Astrid Bergmål; and Icelandic Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson.

The second Prosperity Summit brought together senior government officials, business representatives and industry leaders from the EFTA States and India to take stock of progress under the TEPA and to discuss the latest initiatives. The summit also provided an opportunity for key stakeholders to strengthen ties, explore new opportunities for collaboration, present investment opportunities in India, and hear success stories from EFTA companies, as well as to announce new investment plans.

During the summit, Indian and EFTA government and business representatives took part in sectoral roundtables exploring opportunities for cooperation in advanced manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, the blue economy and maritime sector, and clean energy and climate innovation. The summit concluded with keynote addresses by EFTA Heads of State and Ministers, which highlighted the growing economic cooperation and partnership between EFTA and India.

The EFTA–India TEPA was signed on 10 March 2024 and entered into force on 1 October 2025. The agreement provides enhanced market access, and streamlines customs procedures, making it easier for Indian and EFTA businesses to expand their operations into growing markets.

India is the fastest-growing large economy and is on course to become the world’s third largest economy. The EFTA States collectively rank among the global leaders in both merchandise and services trade. Together, India and the EFTA States represent a combined GDP of around USD 5.4 trillion, providing the scale for deeper integration.

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EFTA-India trade relations