Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda said that both countries respected each other’s sensitivities while signing the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in New Delhi on Sunday.
India signed a free trade agreement with the four-nation EFTA in the presence of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday.
In a conversation with India Today TV’s Foreign Affairs Editor Geeta Mohan, the State secretary said, “We kept sensitivities of India in mind on open markets. Like not touching dairy, since that would impact the dairy industry in India. We understand the importance of affordable drugs and Indian drugs will not become more expensive a opposed to what has been reported.”
“The 100 billion USD investment over a period of 15 years is something that must happen between private players. But, if we do not manage the pledges in these years, then India has the right to unilaterally reduce our market access,” she said.
