India and Liechtenstein Eye Massive Trade Boost: Jitin Prasada Meets Deputy PM
MoS Jitin Prasada and Liechtenstein Deputy PM Sabine Monauni discuss boosting investment and trade under the India-EFTA framework in New Delhi.
In a significant move to bolster economic ties, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Environment and Culture of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Sabine Monauni, in New Delhi. The high-level discussion centered on strengthening India Liechtenstein bilateral trade and exploring fresh opportunities for investment cooperation between the two nations.
This meeting occurred on the sidelines of a visit by the Head of State of Liechtenstein, Hereditary Prince Alois, who visited India from October 25 to 28. Notably, this is the Prince's second trip to the country in 2026, following his earlier visit in February for the AI Impact Summit.
India: A Global Hub for Scalable Growth
During the deliberations, Jitin Prasada painted a picture of a resilient and expanding Indian economy. He highlighted the country's ongoing reforms and strong economic trajectory, positioning India as a stable and competitive destination for global enterprises aiming for long-term scalability.
Prasada pointed out that despite the prevailing geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainties, India has maintained impressive momentum. The official release noted that India's real GDP grew by 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2026–27, driven by strong manufacturing, services, and robust domestic demand.
Courting Liechtenstein's Business Giants
The meeting was not just diplomatic but deeply commercial, as a high-level business delegation from Liechtenstein joined the talks. Prasada urged the Liechtenstein business community to take advantage of India's skilled workforce, improving infrastructure, and supportive policy environment.
Key areas identified for potential collaboration include:
- Technology and Innovation: Leveraging cutting-edge advancements.
- Financial Services: Exploring new investment models.
- Manufacturing: Utilizing India's industrial growth.
The delegation featured prominent representatives from the Liechtenstein Chamber of Industry and Commerce (LCCI), alongside major firms such as LGT India, Hilti, Savannah Seeds, Liechtenstein Languages, Open Cosmos Ltd., and Lightrock.
The EFTA Advantage
Liechtenstein serves as a vital partner for India within the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The foundation for this deepening relationship is the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which provides a comprehensive framework for economic engagement.
The TEPA agreement carries ambitious goals, including:
- A commitment of USD 100 billion in investments.
- The creation of one million direct jobs over a span of 15 years.
The momentum for these ties was further accelerated by the India–EFTA Prosperity Summit 2026 held in New Delhi earlier this month. Both India and Liechtenstein have reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a resilient trade partnership, leveraging the opportunities unlocked by the TEPA framework to ensure mutual economic prosperity.