PM Modi Welcomes Liechtenstein Royals for Historic State Visit
PM Narendra Modi welcomes Hereditary Prince Alois and Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein for a historic state visit to strengthen bilateral ties.
In a landmark diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday. This encounter is part of a high-profile state visit aimed at forging deeper bonds between the two nations and expanding their strategic partnership.
A Historic First for Liechtenstein
Marking a significant milestone in diplomatic history, this visit is the first-ever state visit by Liechtenstein to India. During a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they were received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, Hereditary Prince Alois emphasized the weight of this occasion.
“I am very honoured to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein's first state visit to this remarkable country,” the Prince stated, noting that the visit serves as a testament to the high importance Liechtenstein places on its relationship with New Delhi.
Strengthening Economic Ties through TEPA
A central theme of the visit is the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). Prince Alois highlighted that the agreement, which came into effect a year ago, has already acted as a significant milestone for both nations.
The Prince expressed a strong determination to build upon this momentum, identifying several key sectors where the two countries can collaborate for mutual benefit:
- Innovation and Technology: Leveraging complementary strengths to drive future growth.
- Advanced Manufacturing: Expanding industrial cooperation.
- Financial Services: Strengthening economic ties.
- Education: Creating new avenues for academic and professional exchange.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagements
The royal couple's itinerary in New Delhi has been packed with significant engagements. Earlier on Tuesday, Prince Alois and Princess Sophie visited Rajghat to pay their respects to Mahatma Gandhi, participating in a wreath-laying ceremony and signing the visitors' book. They were joined at the site by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held a meeting with the Hereditary Prince. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar noted that the bilateral partnership is seeing "strong momentum across a wide range of domains," specifically citing the opportunities created by the India-EFTA TEPA.
A Comprehensive Tour of India
The state visit began with the Prince arriving in Mumbai on Monday, followed by a trip to Vadodara before reaching the capital. The royal couple is not alone in this mission; they are accompanied by a high-level official delegation and a business delegation consisting of prominent industry leaders.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this visit is expected to open a "new chapter" in India-Liechtenstein engagement, providing a renewed impetus to diplomatic, trade, and economic cooperation between the two countries.