PM Modi holds talks with Liechtenstein’s Prince Alois; trade and technology cooperation in focus
NEW DELHI :Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held delegation-level talks with Prince Alois, the hereditary prince of Liechtenstein, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi during the latter’s state visit to India.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Furthering the momentum in our bilateral partnership. PM Narendra Modi warmly received H.S.H Hereditary Prince Alois and H.R.H Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein at Hyderabad House today. Discussions aimed at further strengthening our ties lie ahead.”
Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi welcomed Prince Alois and Princess Sophie at a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Speaking to reporters, Prince Alois described the trip as Liechtenstein’s first state visit to India and said it reflected the importance his country attached to bilateral relations.
“I am very honoured to be in India on the occasion of Liechtenstein’s first state visit to this remarkable country,” he said.
The Liechtenstein Prince described the India–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which entered into force in 2025, as a significant milestone.
“We are determined to build on this momentum and strengthen our ties with India even further,” he said, identifying innovation, advanced manufacturing, financial services, education and technology as areas with considerable potential for cooperation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also called on Prince Alois and highlighted the momentum in bilateral relations following the trade agreement.
“Our bilateral partnership is witnessing strong momentum across a wide range of domains, driven by the opportunities enabled by India–EFTA TEPA,” EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.
The royal couple paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, where they laid a wreath and signed the visitors’ book. Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary was also present.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chaudhary are scheduled to call on the Liechtenstein Prince later in the day. Prince Alois is also scheduled to meet President Murmu, who will host a banquet in his honour.
Prince Alois arrived in New Delhi from Vadodara on Monday and was received at the airport by Chaudhary. He is accompanied by a high-level official delegation and business leaders.
The MEA said the visit would provide fresh impetus to India-Liechtenstein relations and create opportunities for cooperation in new areas. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1993.
Prince Alois visited New Delhi in February 2026 for the AI Impact Summit and had previously visited India in 2010 and 2018. The delegation is scheduled to depart on Wednesday.
