I am delighted to have this opportunity to interact with the Indian community and with other friends of India residing in Switzerland, many of whom have travelled to Geneva from other parts of the country.

I always look forward to interacting with the Indian community and well-wishers of India during my overseas visits, as I believe that they form a bridge between the country where they reside and India. Relations between countries are, indeed, built and nurtured by people on both sides. India is proud of its people who went abroad and earned the respect of others by the dint of their hard work and enterprise. I am aware that here, in Switzerland too, Indians have made significant contributions to the development of this country and are held in high regard by the people of Switzerland. The goodwill generated by them contributes profoundly to the relationship between India and Switzerland.

Relations between our two countries have a long history. The Father of the Indian Nation, whose birth anniversary falls today, came here in 1931. This morning, eighty years later, on his birthday it was my privilege to pay homage at the statue of Mahatma in Switzerland, in the tranquil Ariana Park located on the aptly named - Avenue of Peace. The world over, today, is being observed as the International Day of Non - Violence. It is an occasion to reaffirm the principles of truth, peace and non-violence which Gandhiji, not only strongly advocated but ardently observed throughout his life. These values are relevant for the whole world even today. It is also significant that the statue was unveiled in 1997 to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Establishment between India and Switzerland in August 1948, the first such Treaty that independent India signed.

Our countries share many commonalities. We have a commitment to the fundamental principles of democracy and federalism. Deeply ingrained in our people is the mutual respect for differences and diversity within our respective nations. Shared values of rule of law and respect for human dignity bind our two nations and peoples together.Both our countries also share scientific traditions. India, the home of mathematics, geometry and invention of the Zero has an ancient scientific culture, while Switzerland is a leader in innovation, scientific and technological excellence and creativity. Yesterday, I visited CERN and was most impressed with the research work being done there and with the contributions that Indian scientists were making to the various activities in CERN.

Our countries are now exploring the establishment of a privileged partnership. This is my first visit to Switzerland and its purpose is to maintain the momentum of political exchanges which underpin our bilateral relations, and give them fresh substance. All of you can also contribute to this goal and help enhance bilateral ties.

India's growth offers many opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. The Indian economy recorded consistently high rates of growth since 2003 and even the global economic downturn had a limited impact. Today, India is among the most attractive destinations globally, for investments and business and foreign direct investment has increased over the last few years. Since the Indian economy opened up in 1991, Indian companies faced international competition rather well, and have expanded their global footprint; some are here in Switzerland. This underlines that the benefits of economic engagement with India, flow in both directions. In many cases these Indian companies have helped Swiss companies retain their competitive edge.

The overriding priority in India today is to ensure that the benefits of India's economic growth should reach all sections of society, in particular the poorer sections, so that they too can have a better life. We are also aware of the challenges of ensuring that the aspirations of our youth, who constitute more than 50 percent of our population today, are met; that they have the opportunities to get education and training needed to allow India to garner the demographic dividend.

Like India, Switzerland has some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, and the number of Indian students studying here has been growing. Indians have also contributed their expertise in numerous faculties of these institutions. During my visit, a Tagore Chair will be established at the University of Lausanne. This is a timely initiative for two reasons. Firstly, this year marks the 150th Anniversary of the great Nobel Laureate's birth. Secondly, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is no stranger to Switzerland, which he visited to meet Romain Rolland, the renowned French philosopher-author and fellow Nobel Laureate.

Cultural ties are a vital component of relations between India and Switzerland. I understand that much of the credit for promoting Indian culture in this country goes to you. You have established societies and groups devoted to India.

We acknowledge your efforts in this regard and your achievements. Each year, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is organized in India in January. This year it is being organized in Jaipur. This event celebrates the success that the Indian Diaspora has achieved all over the world, and its timing was chosen to coincide with and to commemorate the date when Mahatma Gandhi returned to India in 1915 after his sojourn in South Africa. I hope to see many of you participating in these celebrations in the future.

In conclusion, I would like to appreciate your many contributions to strengthening Indo-Swiss ties, and encourage you to continue your endeavours to build contacts with the people of this beautiful country, and to raise India's profile in this country. The strong and vibrant political and economic partnership between India and Switzerland will benefit from these efforts.

I wish you, your families, and all our Swiss friends present here success, happiness and prosperity. The festive season in India has begun and I wish all of you a very happy Dussehra.

Thank you.  
Jai Hind!