India looking forward to enhancing economic cooperation with Switzerland: President Patil

Geneva, Sep 30 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today said that India is looking forward to enhancing its economic cooperation with Switzerland.

Speaking to reporters on board the Air India One, enroute to Geneva, President Patil: "Both countries will look forward to further boost ties in areas of scientific research, educational exchanges and people to people contacts."

When asked whether the issue of illegal funds stashed away in Swiss banks would come up for discussion, the President said that both countries will discuss a range of economic and financial issues.

"As I have already mentioned, there will be discussions ......on a whole gamut of bilateral relations ..will be discussed including economic and financial issues also.......," she said.

President Patil also said that Switzerland has emerged as one of the top investors in India.

Bilateral trade between India and Switzerland has risen by 36 percent between 2006 and 2010 and has touched 3.7 billion dollars.

President Patil, who arrived in Geneva on Friday on a five-day state visit, was given a warm welcome by Mark Muller, President of Geneva Canton, Nathelie Marty, Deputy Chief of Protocol of Government of Swiss Confederation, and Dominique Louis, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Geneva Canton at the airport.

She will hold wide-ranging discussions with her Swiss counterpart Calmy Rey and other members of the Federal Council of Switzerland. By Sanjay Mohan (ANI)