Overview

• Switzerland said the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement will enter into force on October 1 and announced regulatory amendments to implement the agreed customs concessions.
• For the first time in an Indian free trade agreement, the deal contains legally binding provisions on trade and sustainable development, reaffirming environmental and labour protections and existing international obligations.
• EFTA’s investment commitment totals $100 billion over 15 years, split between $50 billion in the first decade and $50 billion in the following five years, with one million direct jobs in India expected.
• India will reduce or eliminate duties on products including Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut‑and‑polished diamonds, granting Switzerland improved access covering 94.7% of current exports excluding gold.
• EFTA will cut duties on 92.2% of its tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India’s exports, while India keeps effective gold duties unchanged and excludes sensitive items such as dairy, soya, coal and certain agricultural products.