Geneva: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Geneva on Monday on the third leg of his five-nation tour, held delegation level-talks with Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann and the two agreed to support each other in their respective bids for the non-permanent membership to the UNSC.
PM @narendramodi: Combating the menace of "black money" and tax evasion is also our shared priority. pic.twitter.com/loTHqe77YM
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 6, 2016
The Prime Minister raised the issue of black money stashed by Indians in Swiss banks. He thanked Switzerland for extending support for India's membership of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group as it is a key member of the elite grouping.
Read: Narendra Modi leaves for US after day-long Switzerland visit
" Combating the menace of "black money" and tax evasion is also our shared priority. We have both agreed to support each other for our respective bids for the non-permanent membership of the UNSC. I am thankful to the President for Switzerland's understanding & support for India's membership of the NSG," said Modi.
Towards a new synergy between Swiss possibilities & Indian opportunities. PM at a business roundtable in Geneva pic.twitter.com/ouAs7WNnH9
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 6, 2016
Modi attended a business round-table in Geneva which was graced by the who's who of the corporate world. Big names like Lafarge, Nestle, Roche were at the meet which is aimed at expanding economic ties.
Read: Senior Swiss official to visit India for free-trade pact talks
The Prime Minister said both India and Switzerland share a commitment to reform international institutions in tune with current global realities.
"The economic links between our two countries are strong and vibrant. I feel the weight of history in this truly great city. India and Switzerland have both been the voices of peace, understanding and humanitarian values in the world," he said.
Prime Minister Modi also invited the Swiss companies to be a key partner in India's economic growth.
ABB, Lafarge, Novartis, Nestlé, Rieter, Roche... A who's who of Swiss business at Round Table with PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/zsxz0weg95
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 6, 2016
Modi said India and Switzerland also shared a commitment to reform international institutions in line with current global realities.
"India and Switzerland have both been the voices of peace, understanding and humanitarian values in the world. In last seven decades, our friendship has consistently seen an upward trajectory. Today, President and I reviewed our
multifaceted bilateral ties. We also held detailed discussions with Swiss CEOs," said the Prime Minister.
India's biggest hurdle at the upcoming NSG meeting on June 9 will be to overcome China's two-faced policy of opposing New Delhi's application to join the group on one hand while violating terms by supplying banned nuclear materials to Pakistan on the other.
With US President Barack Obama backing India's entry into the NSG, New Delhi is looking to Washington to help overcome resistance from China and several other nations.
