India-Switzerland sign mutual visa agreement

India and Switzerland on Thursday signed three agreements on mutual visa exemption, return of illegal migrants and arrangement for dependent persons of diplomatic and consular mission to perform gainful employment.

The agreements were signed during a meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Swiss Confederation's visiting Minister for Justice and Police Simonetta Sommaruga. 

The agreements involve mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports, identification and return of illegal migrants and arrangement for dependent person of diplomatic, consular, technical and administrative staff of diplomatic and consular mission to perform gainful employment.

During the meeting, Rajnath Singh proposed setting up of training facilities for Indian police officers in Switzerland police academies/other training institutes in the fields of anti-hijacking and cyber forensic, etc.

He also said India was looking forward for cooperation with Switzerland on the issue of exchange of tax information since the black money is the main corruption issue which needs to be tackled.

Rajnath Singh also sought a more liberal visa regime for Indian business people, contending that India has been offering multi-year, multiple entry visas to Swiss businesses in a bid to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

Among the other subjects discussed in the meeting were cooperation in transfer of convicted, sentenced persons and mutual legal assistance treaty in criminal matters that would help in combating terrorism, transnational organised crimes and corruption, including money laundering.